Communications panel system

ABSTRACT

A communications panel includes a chassis receiving one or more tray arrangements that each support one or more cassettes. Each cassette carries a plurality of ports at which connections are made between front and rear plug connectors. Each tray arrangement includes guides along which the cassettes slidably mount. The guides and cassettes are configured to enable cassettes of various size to mount to the same tray without reconfiguring the guides.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 63/150,828, filed Feb. 18, 2021, and titled “Communications PanelSystem;” U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/166,558, filed Mar.26, 2021, and titled “Communications Panel System;” U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 63/214,106, filed Jun. 23, 2021, and titled“Communications Panel System;” and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.63/310,963, filed Feb. 16, 2022, and titled “Communications PanelSystem,” the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by referencein their entirety.

BACKGROUND

In the telecommunications industry, the demand for added capacity isgrowing rapidly. This demand is being met in part by the increasing useand density of fiber optic transmission equipment. Even though fiberoptic equipment permits higher levels of transmission in the same orsmaller footprint than traditional copper transmission equipment, thedemand requires even higher levels of fiber density. This has led to thedevelopment of high-density fiber handling equipment.

In communications panel systems, port members (e.g., optical adapters,electrical jacks, hybrid port members, etc.) defining front ports aremounted to one or more trays that are disposable within a chassis. Thefront ports are configured to receive plug connectors at the fronts ofthe trays. The trays can either be stationary within a chassis or canslide forwardly of the chassis to enhance access to the port members.

Improvements are desired.

SUMMARY

A communications panel includes a chassis holding one or more trays.Each tray spans a width and depth of the chassis. In someimplementations, the trays are stationary within the chassis. In otherimplementations, the trays are slidable within the chassis between twoor more positions. Each tray is configured to support one or morecassettes carrying ports (e.g., optical ports, electrical ports, orhybrid ports) to receive plug connectors. A tray populated with one ormore cassettes is referred to herein as a communications arrangement.The cassettes are slidably mounted to the tray along guides.

Some aspects of the disclosure are directed to a communicationsarrangement including a tray carrying guides configured to slidinglyreceive a plurality of cassettes along the guides from either the frontend of the tray or from the rear end of the tray at the discretion ofthe user. The guides and cassettes are configured so the cassette sizesneed not be in integer increments of each other. For example, the traymay receive a first cassette having a first width and a second cassettehaving a second width that is 1.5 times the first width. Accordingly,the same tray can be fully populated by a plurality of cassettes havingthe first width or by a plurality of cassettes having the second widthat the discretion of the user without modifying the guides or the tray.Alternatively, trays of different widths can be mixed on the tray.

Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to a communicationsarrangement including a tray having parallel guides spaced apart along alateral axis of the tray, the guides extending along a forward-rearwardaxis of the tray that is perpendicular to the lateral axis. One or morecassettes can be mounted to the tray to slide along the guides. Eachcassette has a latching arrangement that releasably locks to arespective one of the guides. The latching arrangement includes arelease handle that slides relative to the cassette along an actuationaxis that is parallel to the forward-rearward axis of the tray. Pullingor pushing the release handle forwardly releases the lock between thecassette and the respective guide. Continuing to pull or push therelease handle forwardly slides the cassette forwardly along the guides.Similarly, pulling or pushing the release handle rearwardly releases thelock between the cassette and the respective guide. Continuing to pullor push the release handle rearwardly slides the cassette rearwardlyalong the guides.

Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to a communicationsarrangement including a tray carrying a plurality of parallel guidesspaced a common distance from each other along a lateral axis of thetray. The space disposed between adjacent guides is referred to hereinas a bay. One or more cassettes are mounted to the tray to slide alongthe guides. Each cassette spans at least two bays. Each guide isconfigured to inter-connect with no more than one cassette.

Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to a tray carryinggenerally parallel guides that each define cassette engagement structurefacing in a first direction. None of the guides define cassetteengagement structure facing in a second direction opposite the firstdirection. For example, each guide may define a groove facing in thefirst direction and a wall facing in the second direction.

Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to a cassette extendingalong a width between opposite first and second ends and along a lengthbetween front and rear ends. The length is orthogonal to the width. Thecassette defines a bottom channel extending along the length of thecassette. In certain implementations, the cassette includes a bottomrail disposed within the bottom channel. The bottom rail extends from abase end attached to the cassette to a free end. In certain examples,the bottom rail extends parallel with the width of the cassette.

Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to a cassette extendingacross a width between opposite first and second ends. The cassetteincludes an end rail at the first end. The cassette is devoid of railsat the second end. In certain implementations, the cassette defines abottom channel extending along a depth of the cassette orthogonal to thewidth. In certain examples, the cassette includes a bottom rail disposedwithin the bottom channel. In an example, the end rail and the bottomrail of each cassette extend in a common direction from a base end to afree end.

Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to a communicationsarrangement including a tray having parallel guides spaced apart along alateral axis of the tray, the guides extending along a forward-rearwardaxis of the tray. The guides each define a notch through a top of theguide. One or more cassettes are mounted to the tray to slide along theguides. Each cassette has a latching arrangement at an end of thecassette that rides over the top of a respective one of the guides. Thelatching arrangement includes a stop member that drops into the notch ofthe respective guide to lock the cassette to the guide. The latchingarrangement also includes a release handle that is actuated by movingthe release handle in a different direction from the stop member. Incertain examples, the release handle is moved orthogonally to themovement of the stop member. In an example, the release handle is movedalong the forward-rearward axis of the tray. The release handle mayextend forwardly and/or rearwardly relative to the front and rear endsof the cassette.

A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in thedescription that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individualfeatures and to combinations of features. It is to be understood thatboth the forgoing general description and the following detaileddescription are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictiveof the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosedherein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the description, illustrate several aspects of the presentdisclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example communications panel systemincluding a chassis mounted to a rack, the chassis being configured tohold a plurality of tray arrangements;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example tray arrangement configuredto be mounted within the chassis of FIG. 1 , the tray arrangementincluding a tray carrying a plurality of guides;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tray arrangement of FIG. 2 shownpopulated with a plurality of cassettes to form a communicationsarrangement, the cassettes each having a first width;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tray arrangement of FIG. 2 shownpopulated with a plurality of cassettes each having a second width, thesecond width being about 1.5 times the first width;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the tray arrangement of FIG. 2 shownpopulated with a mixture of the cassettes of FIGS. 3 and 4 ;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the tray arrangement of FIG. 2 shownpopulated with a plurality of cassettes each having a third width, thethird width being about double the first width;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the tray arrangement of FIG. 2 shownpopulated with a plurality of cassettes each having a fourth width, thefourth width being about triple the first width;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tray arrangement of FIG. 2 showingthe guides, a front extension arrangement, and a rear extensionarrangement exploded outwardly from the tray;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the tray arrangement of FIG. 2 with thefront and rear extension arrangements removed from the tray;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the tray arrangement of FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a first side of an example guidesuitable for use with the tray arrangement of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a second side of the guide of FIG.11 ;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative guide unit suitable foruse with the tray arrangement of FIG. 2 , the guide unit including twoguides coupled together as a unit;

FIG. 14 is a front perspective of a portion of the tray arrangement ofFIG. 9 ;

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the tray arrangement of FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 15 ;

FIG. 17 is a front, first side perspective view of a first examplecassette suitable for use with the tray arrangement of FIG. 2 , thefirst cassette carrying two groups of LC ports separated by anintermediate region at a front end of the first cassette;

FIG. 18 is a front, second side perspective view of the first cassetteof FIG. 17 , the second side being opposite the first side;

FIG. 19 is a front elevational view of the first cassette of FIG. 17with the front and rear port members removed;

FIG. 20 is a rear elevational view of the first cassette of FIG. 19 ;

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of the first cassette of FIG. 17carrying two groups of MPO ports separated by the intermediate region atthe front end of the first cassette;

FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of the first cassette of FIG. 17carrying two groups of SN ports separated by the intermediate region atthe front end of the first cassette;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the first cassette of FIG. 17 with thefront and rear port members exploded outwardly from the cassette body toshow the front and rear apertures and a release handle explodedoutwardly from a cassette body to show a stop member carried by thecassette body;

FIG. 24 is a side elevational view of the stop member and a portion ofthe cassette body of FIG. 23 ;

FIG. 25 is a front elevational view of the cassette body of the firstcassette of FIG. 17 ;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the release handle of FIG. 23 showingan externally-facing side of the release handle, the release handledefining a camming groove having first and second ramped surfaces;

FIG. 27 is an enlarged view of the camming groove of the release handleand stop surfaces of the cassette body of FIG. 26 ;

FIG. 28 is an enlarged view of the forward grip portion of the releasehandle;

FIG. 29 is a side elevational view of the cassette of FIG. 17 shown withthe release handle in a neutral position relative to the cassette body;

FIG. 29A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 29 showing a cammingmember disposed along the camming groove of the release handle;

FIG. 30 is a side elevational view of the cassette of FIG. 17 shown withthe release handle in a forwardly-extended position relative to thecassette body;

FIG. 30A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 30 showing the cammingmember disposed along the camming groove of the release handle;

FIG. 31 is a side elevational view of the cassette of FIG. 17 shown withthe release handle in a rearwardly-extended position relative to thecassette body;

FIG. 31A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 31 showing the cammingmember disposed along the camming groove of the release handle;

FIG. 32 is front perspective view of the first cassette of FIG. 17having an alternative latching arrangement and alternative cover, thecover being raised relative to the cassette body sufficient to exposethe alternative stop members;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of an alternative release handle for usewith the alternative latching arrangement of FIG. 32 ;

FIG. 34 is an enlarged view of the alternative latching arrangement ofFIG. 32 showing the stop members resting on the camming member of therelease handle when the release handle is disposed in the neutralposition;

FIG. 35 is a front, first side perspective view of a second examplecassette suitable for use with the tray arrangement of FIG. 2 , thesecond cassette carrying three groups of front ports separated byintermediate regions at a front end of the second cassette;

FIG. 36 is a front, second side perspective view of the second cassetteof FIG. 35 , the second side being opposite the first side;

FIG. 37 is a front elevational view of the second cassette of FIG. 35 ;

FIG. 38 is a rear elevational view of the second cassette of FIG. 36 ;

FIG. 39 is a front, first side perspective view of a third examplecassette suitable for use with the tray arrangement of FIG. 2 , thethird cassette carrying four groups of front ports separated byintermediate regions at a front end of the third cassette;

FIG. 40 is a front, second side perspective view of the third cassetteof FIG. 39 , the second side being opposite the first side;

FIG. 41 is a front elevational view of the third cassette of FIG. 39 ;

FIG. 42 is a rear elevational view of the third cassette of FIG. 39 ;

FIG. 43 is a front, first side perspective view of a fourth examplecassette suitable for use with the tray arrangement of FIG. 2 , thefourth cassette carrying six groups of front ports separated byintermediate regions at a front end of the fourth cassette;

FIG. 44 is a front, second side perspective view of the fourth cassetteof FIG. 43 , the second side being opposite the first side;

FIG. 45 is a front elevational view of the fourth cassette of FIG. 43 ;

FIG. 46 is a rear elevational view of the fourth cassette of FIG. 43 ;and

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of a fifth example cassette configured toconnect a like number of front and rear plug connectors, the fifthcassette being shown with an open top;

FIG. 48 is a rear elevational view of a portion of a tray arrangementincluding a cassette mounted to guides carried by the tray arrangement;

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of a second example tray arrangementconfigured to be mounted within the chassis of FIG. 1 , the trayarrangement including a tray carrying a plurality of guides;

FIG. 50 is a top plan view of the tray arrangement of FIG. 49 ;

FIG. 51 is a first perspective view of an example guide suitable for usewith the tray arrangement of FIG. 49 ;

FIG. 52 is a second perspective view of the guide of FIG. 51 ;

FIG. 53 is a bottom plan view of the tray of FIG. 49 with a portion ofthe tray enlarged for ease in viewing;

FIG. 54 is a front elevational view of a portion of the main region ofthe tray arrangement of FIG. 49 ;

FIG. 55 shows the guides of FIG. 54 mounted to a thicker tray;

FIG. 56 is a perspective view of an example countersink disposed at themain region of the tray arrangement of FIG. 53 ;

FIG. 57 shows a portion of an example transition arrangement of anexample release handle shown exploded from an example stop member of anexample latching arrangement of any of the cassettes shown herein;

FIG. 58 is a front elevational view of a portion of a communicationsarrangement including first and second cassettes mounted to the trayarrangement of FIG. 2 , the first and second cassettes having the portmembers removed for ease in viewing the front apertures to show the evenspacing between the front apertures;

FIG. 59 is a perspective view of a sixth example cassette configured toconnect a like number of front and rear plug connectors, the sixthcassette being shown with an open top;

FIG. 60 is a top perspective view of an example cassette having thecover removed for ease in viewing an interior of the cassette;

FIG. 61 is a top plan view of the cassette of FIG. 60 ;

FIG. 62 is a top perspective view of another example cassette having thecover removed for ease in viewing an interior of the cassette;

FIG. 63 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cassette of FIG.62 including the cover;

FIG. 64 is a bottom perspective view of an example cassette;

FIG. 65 is a bottom plan view of the cassette of FIG. 64 ;

FIG. 66 is a top perspective view of an example splice cassetteconfigured in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure,the splice cassette including a first type of splice holder disposed ata splice region of the cassette;

FIG. 67 is a top plan view of the splice cassette of FIG. 66 ;

FIG. 68 is a top plan view of another example splice cassette configuredin accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, the splicecassette including a second type of splice holder disposed at a spliceregion of the cassette;

FIG. 69 is a top plan view of the splice cassette of FIG. 68 ;

FIG. 70 is a top perspective view of the splice cassette of FIG. 68 withthe splice holder exploded upwardly from the cassette;

FIG. 71 is a bottom perspective view of a cassette body suitable for usewith the splice cassette of FIG. 68 and with the splice cassette of FIG.66 ;

FIG. 72 is a top perspective view of an example cassette configured inaccordance with the principles of the present disclosure, the cassettecarrying port members configured to receive VSFF type plug connectors ina vertical orientation;

FIG. 73 is a front elevational view comparing the cassette of FIG. 72with the cassette of FIG. 35 and the cassette of FIG. 74 ;

FIG. 74 is a front perspective view of an example cassette configured inaccordance with the principles of the present disclosure, the cassettecarrying port members configured to receive VSFF type plug connectors ina vertical orientation, the cassette having a different bottom channelspacing compared to the cassette of FIG. 72 ;

FIG. 75 is a rear perspective view of the cassette of FIG. 74 ;

FIG. 76 is a bottom, front perspective view of the cassette of FIG. 74 ;

FIG. 77 is an exploded view of the cassette of FIG. 74 ;

FIG. 78 is a top perspective view of an example tray arrangementsuitable for receiving cassettes of the type shown in FIGS. 74-77 ;

FIG. 79 is a top perspective view of the cassette of FIG. 74 loaded ontothe tray arrangement of FIG. 78 ;

FIG. 80 shows the tray of FIG. 79 fully populated with cassettes of thetype shown in FIG. 74 ;

FIG. 81 shows a first example fiber management structure and a secondexample fiber management structure mounted at an example cassette body;

FIGS. 82 and 83 are top and bottom perspective views of the firstexample fiber management structure of FIG. 81 ;

FIGS. 84 and 85 are top and bottom perspective views of the secondexample fiber management structure of FIG. 81 ;

FIG. 86 shows mounting members of two fiber management structuresmounted through two apertures of a cassette and disposed in a firstrotational position allowing movement of the mounting member through theaperture;

FIG. 87 shows the mounting members when the fiber management structuresare disposed in a second rotational position inhibiting movement throughthe apertures;

FIG. 88 shows a fiber management structure exploded away from anaperture configured to receive a fiber management structure;

FIG. 89 shows the fiber management structure of FIG. 88 mounted at theaperture of FIG. 88 in the first rotational position;

FIG. 90 shows the fiber management structure of FIG. 89 mounted at theaperture of FIG. 88 in the second rotational position;

FIG. 91 is a top plan view of an example cassette including two opposingfirst fiber management structures; an example fiber routing structure isshown;

FIG. 92 is a top plan view of another example cassette including a firstfiber management structure of the type shown in FIGS. 82 and 83 and asecond fiber management structure of the type shown in FIGS. 84 and 85 ;another example fiber routing structure is shown;

FIG. 93 is a front perspective view of a portion of an example cassetteincluding an example beak and examples protrusions;

FIG. 94 is a rear perspective view of the cassette of FIG. 93 ;

FIG. 95 is a bottom perspective view of a body of an example cassetteincluding an additional bottom rail;

FIG. 96 is a front elevational view of the cassette of FIG. 95 ;

FIG. 97 is a top perspective view of another example cassette configuredto connect a like number of front and rear plug connectors, the cassettebeing shown with an open top; and

FIG. 98 is a bottom perspective view of the cassette of FIG. 97 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the presentdisclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts.

The present disclosure is directed to a communications panel 100configured to mount to a rack R. The communications panel 100 includes achassis 105 holding one or more tray arrangements 110, 310 (e.g., seeFIGS. 3-7 ). Each tray arrangement 110, 310 spans a width W of thechassis 105. In some implementations, the tray arrangements 110, 310 arestationary within the chassis 105. In other implementations, the trayarrangements 110, 310 are slidable along a depth D of the chassis 105between two or more positions. Each tray arrangement 110, 310 isconfigured to support one or more cassettes 200 carrying ports (e.g.,optical ports, electrical ports, hybrid ports, etc.) configured toreceive plug connectors. A tray arrangement 110, 310 populated with oneor more cassettes 200 is referred to herein as a communicationsarrangement 108.

As will be discussed in more detail herein, a cassette 200 carries oneor more front ports at a front of the cassette 200. The front ports areconfigured to receive plug connectors. In some implementations, thefront ports are optical ports configured to receive optical plugconnectors. In other implementations, the front ports may be electricalports configured to receive electrical plug connectors, hybrid portsconfigured to receive hybrid plug connectors, or a mixture thereof. Insome implementations, a cassette 200 carries single-fiber front ports(e.g., LC front ports). In other implementations, a cassette 200 carriesmulti-fiber front ports (e.g., MPO front ports, SN front ports offeredby Senko, etc.). In still other implementations, the same cassette 200may carry a mix of two or more types of front ports (e.g., a mixture ofMPO and LC ports).

In some implementations, the cassette 200 carries one or more rear ports(e.g., optical port, electrical port, hybrid port, etc.) at the rear ofthe cassette 200. Each rear port is configured to receive a plugconnector. Intermediate optical fibers within the cassette connect thefront and rear ports. In other implementations, the cassette 200 carriesports only at the front of the cassette 200. In such implementations, arear of the cassette 200 is configured to enable optical fibers or oneor more optical fiber cables to extend into/onto the cassette 200 and berouted towards the front ports.

The cassettes 200 are slidably mounted to the tray arrangement 110, 310along guides 150, 350. As shown in FIG. 2 , the tray arrangement 110,310 includes a main region 112, 312 that extends along aforward-rearward axis FR between a front end 114, 314 and a rear end116, 316 of the main region 112, 312. The main region 112, 312 alsoextends along a lateral axis LA between opposite first and second ends118, 120, 318, 320 of the main region 112, 312. The main region 112, 312of the tray arrangement 110, 310 carries the guides 150, 350. Each guide150, 350 extends parallel to the forward-rearward axis FR. The guides150, 350 are spaced from each other along the lateral axis LA.

The guides 150, 350 are configured to slidingly receive a plurality ofcassettes 200 along the guides 150, 350 from either the front end 114,314 of the main region 112, 312 or from the rear end 116, 316 of themain region 112, 312 at a discretion of a user. Interaction between theguides 150, 350 and the cassettes 200 will be discussed in more detailherein.

The guides 150, 350 and the cassettes 200 are configured so the sizes ofthe cassettes 200 need not be in integer increments of each other toeach fit on the same tray arrangement 110, 310 with the sameconfiguration of guides 150, 350. For example, the tray arrangement 110,310 may receive a first cassette 200 having a first width and a secondcassette having a second width that is 1.5 times the first width.Accordingly, the same tray can be fully populated by a plurality ofcassettes having the first width or by a plurality of cassettes havingthe second width at the discretion of the user without modifying theguides or the tray. In other cases, trays of different widths can bemixed on the tray.

In FIG. 3 , the tray arrangement 110 of FIG. 2 is shown fully populatedby first cassettes 200A having the first width to form a first examplecommunications arrangement 108. FIG. 4 shows the tray arrangement 110 ofFIG. 2 fully populated by second cassettes 200B having a second widththat is larger than the first width to form a second examplecommunications arrangement 108. The configuration (e.g., positioning orspacing) of the guides 150 has not been modified between the two images.In the example shown, the second width is about 1.5 times the firstwidth. FIG. 5 shows the tray arrangement 110 of FIG. 2 populated by acombination of the first and second cassettes 200A, 200B. FIG. 6 showsthe tray arrangement 110 of FIG. 2 fully populated by third cassettes200C having a third width that is larger than the second width (e.g.,approximately twice the width of the first width). FIG. 7 shows the trayarrangement 110 of FIG. 2 fully populated by fourth cassettes 200Dhaving a fourth width that is larger than the third width (e.g.,approximately three times the width of the first width). The positioningof the guides 150 remains constant in all five of these iterations.These same cassette configurations can be mounted to the trayarrangement 350 of FIGS. 49-51 as well.

In various implementations, a cassette 200 (e.g., any of cassettes 200A,200B, 200C, 200D) can be a base-8 cassette, a base-12 cassette, oranother type of cassette (e.g., a base-2 cassette, a base-16 cassette, abase-24 cassette, etc.). A base-8 cassette receives fibers at the rear(e.g., through a rear adapter or through fibers extending into thecassette) in increments of eight whereas a base-12 cassette receivesfiber at the rear in increments of twelve. In certain examples, abase-16 cassette receives fibers at the rear in increments of sixteenand a base-24 cassette receives fibers at the rear in increments oftwenty-four. In certain implementations, a base-8 cassette receives plugconnectors having eight live fibers at a rear of the cassette 200, abase-12 cassette receives plug connectors having twelve live fibers at arear of the cassette 200, a base-16 cassette receives plug connectorshaving sixteen live fibers at a rear of the cassette 200, and a base-24cassette receives plug connectors having twenty-four live fibers at arear of the cassette 200.

In certain implementations, a base-12 cassette has a larger width than abase-8 cassette. For example, a base-12 cassette providing a row of sixduplex-LC front ports (i.e., twelve LC front ports) may be wider than abase-8 cassette providing a row of four duplex-LC front ports (i.e.,eight LC front ports). In an example, such a base-12 cassette may be 1.5times as wide as the base-8 cassette. In such implementations, the trayarrangement 110 of FIG. 2 could be populated with the base-8 cassettes,the base-12 cassettes, or a combination thereof without modification tothe arrangement of the guides 150. In other implementations, however, abase-8 cassette and a base-12 cassette can have the same width dependingon port type.

FIG. 8 shows the example tray arrangement 110 of FIG. 2 including a tray122 onto which various components (e.g., guides 150) are mounted to formthe tray arrangement 110. In certain implementations, the tray 122extends along the lateral axis LA between the first and second ends 118,120 of the tray arrangement 110. In certain implementations, the guides150 are mounted to the tray 122.

In the example shown, the tray 122 includes a front portion 124, a rearportion 126, and an intermediate portion 128. The front portion 124 isdisposed toward the front end 114 of the tray arrangement 110 and therear portion 126 is disposed toward the rear end 116 of the trayarrangement 110. The intermediate portion 128 is disposed between thefront portion 124 and the rear portion 126 along the forward-rearwardaxis FR. The intermediate portion 128 is raised along a height H of thetray arrangement 110 relative to the forward portion 124 (e.g., see FIG.10 ).

The guides 150 are mounted to the tray arrangement 110 so that eachguide 150 extends across the intermediate portion 128 along theforward-rearward axis FR. In certain implementations, the guides 150 aremounted to the forward portion 124 of the tray 122 and to the rearwardportion 126 of the tray 122. In certain examples, each guide 150 alsoextends across the forward and rearward portions 124, 126 along theforward-rearward axis FR.

In certain implementations, the tray arrangement 110 includes a frontextension arrangement 130 that mounts to the forward portion 124 of thetray 122 (e.g., see FIGS. 2 and 8 ). In some examples, the frontextension arrangement 130 forms part of the main region 112 of the trayarrangement 110 and defines the front end 114 of the main region 112. Inother examples, the forward portion 124 of the tray 122 defines theforward end 114 of the main region 112. In certain implementations, thefront extension arrangement 130 extends between the first and secondends 118, 120 of the tray arrangement 110. In certain implementations,the front extension arrangement 130 is disposed no higher than theintermediate portion 128 of the tray 122. In certain examples, the frontextension arrangement 130 is disposed lower than the intermediateportion 128 of the tray 122.

In certain implementations, the tray arrangement 110 includes a rearextension arrangement 132 that mounts to the rearward portion 126 of thetray 122. In some examples, the rear extension arrangement 133 formspart of the main region 121 of the tray arrangement 110 and defines therear end 116 of the main region 112. In other examples, the rearwardportion 126 of the tray 122 defines the rearward end 116 of the mainregion 112. In certain implementations, the rear extension arrangement132 extends between the first and second ends 118, 120 of the trayarrangement 110. In certain implementations, the rear extensionarrangement 132 is disposed no higher than the intermediate portion 128of the tray 122. In certain examples, the rear extension arrangement 132is disposed lower than the intermediate portion 128 of the tray 122.

In certain implementations, the front extension arrangement 130 and/orthe rear extension arrangement 132 are formed of a different materialthan the tray 122. For example, the tray 122 may be formed of metalwhile the front and/or rear extension arrangements 130, 132 are formedof plastic or other materials. In certain implementations, the frontextension arrangement 130 and/or the rear extension arrangement 132defines notches in which portions of the guides 150 extend.

In certain implementations, the tray arrangement 110 includes a cablesupport arrangement 135 extending forwardly of the main region 112 ofthe tray arrangement 110. The cable support arrangement 135 includes acable support bar 134 that extends parallel to the lateral axis LA ofthe tray arrangement 110 to support cables routed to the front ports ofthe cassettes 200 mounted to the tray arrangement 110. The cable supportbar 134 is coupled to the main region 112 of the tray arrangement 110 byarms 136, 138. In certain examples, the arms 136, 138 space the supportbar 134 away from the front end 114 of the tray main region 112sufficient to provide finger access to plug connectors received at thefront ports of the cassettes 200. In some examples, the support bar 134,first arm 136, and second arm 138 are monolithically formed with thetray 122. In other examples, the cable support arrangement 135 is aseparate piece coupled to the main region 112 of the tray arrangement110 using fasteners, latches, or other attachment mechanisms.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an example guide 150 suitable for use withthe tray arrangement 110 of FIG. 2 . The guide 150 extends along alength GL (FIG. 9 ) between a front end 152 and a rear end 154 and alonga height H (FIG. 10 ) between a bottom and a top surface 164. The guide150 also has opposite first and second sides 156, 158 facingorthogonally to length GL and the height H.

The guide 150 is configured to engage (e.g., interconnect) with acassette from only the second side 158. For example, the second side 158defines cassette engagement structure and the first side 156 does not.In the example shown, the first side 156 defines a closed surface 160and the second side 158 defines a groove 162 that extends along thelength GL between opposite open ends. In some examples, the guide 150has an L-shaped cross-sectional profile (e.g., see FIG. 15 ). In otherexamples, the guide 150 has a C-shaped cross-sectional profile along atleast part of the length GL of the guide 150 (e.g., see FIG. 13 ).

The guides 150 each define a top surface 164 extending along the lengthGL of the guide 150. In certain examples, the top surface 164 of a guide150 defines a ramped surface 172 at the first and second open ends ofthe groove 162. The top surface 164 defines a notch 166 at anintermediate position between the first and second open ends of thegroove 162. In certain examples, the notch provides access to the groove162 through the top surface 164. In certain implementations, the notch166 provides access to a forward-facing catch surface 168 and arearward-facing catch surface 170 at opposite ends of the notch 166.

In certain implementations, the guides 150 are configured to be mountedto the main region 112 of the tray arrangement 110 (e.g., to the tray122). In some examples, the guides 150 include pegs 174 that can beinserted into apertures defined through the main region 112 to attachthe guides 150 to the tray arrangement 110. In various examples, thepegs 174 can be attached to the main region 112 by heating,ultrasonically welding, adhesive, friction, or another mechanism. Inother examples, the guides 150 can be fastened, soldered, latched, orotherwise attached to the tray.

In certain implementations, a guide 150 includes side tabs 176 extendingoutwardly from the first and second sides 156, 158 of the guide 150. Theside tabs 176 may carry pegs 174 or other attachment structure. Incertain examples, the side tabs 176 provide stability to the guides 150.In certain examples, an example guide 150 includes a first pair of sidetabs 176 at the front end 152 and a second pair of side tabs 176 at therear end 154. In the example shown in FIG. 9 , the first pair of sidetabs 176 are mounted to the front end portion 124 of the tray 122 andthe second pair of side tabs 176 are mounted to the rear end portion 126of the tray 122. In certain examples, an example guide 150 includes athird pair of side tabs 176 extending outwardly from an intermediateposition along the length GL of the guide 150. In an example, the thirdpair of side tabs 176 align with the notch 166.

FIG. 13 shows an alternative guide unit 178 including a plurality ofguides 150 connected together with webbing 180. In the example shown,the webbing 180 connects two guides. In other examples, the webbing 180can connect three, four, six, twelve, or any desired number of guides150. The guide unit 178 enables multiple guides 150 to be mounted to themain region 112 of the tray arrangement 110 simultaneously. In certainimplementations, the guide unit 178 also may include pegs 174 for heatstaking, ultrasonically welding, or otherwise securing the guide unit178 to the tray arrangement 110. In certain implementations, the guideunit 178 also may include side tabs 176.

The guides 150, 350 extend across the main region 112, 312 of the trayarrangement 110, 310 along the lateral axis LA. In certainimplementations, the guides 150, 350 are spaced a common distance CDapart from each other along the lateral axis LA (e.g., see FIGS. 14-16). A bay 140, 340 is a space extending outwardly from the second side158, 358 of a guide 150, 350 by the common distance CD. In most cases,the bay 140, 340 extends to the first side 156, 356 of an adjacent guide150, 350. In certain cases, a bay 140, 340 is bordered by only one guide150, 350 (e.g., see the left-most bay 140, 340 of FIGS. 15 and 50 ). Insuch a case, the bay 140, 340 extends towards a sidewall of the chassis105.

FIGS. 49-51 illustrate another example implementation of a trayarrangement 310 suitable for use in receiving any of the cassettes 200disclosed herein. FIG. 49 shows the example tray arrangement 310including a planar tray 322 onto which various components (e.g., guides350) are mounted to form the tray arrangement 310. In certainimplementations, the tray 322 extends along the lateral axis LA betweenthe first and second ends 318, 320 of the tray arrangement 310. In theexample shown, the tray 322 defines the main region 312 of the trayarrangement 310 at which the guides 350 mount.

In certain implementations, the tray 322 defines a front cablemanagement region 324 and a rear cable management region 326. In certainexamples, the front cable management region 324 and rear cablemanagement region 326 are monolithically formed with the tray 322. Incertain implementations, the front cable management region 324 includesa cable support arrangement 335. The cable support arrangement 335includes a cable support bar 334 that extends parallel to the lateralaxis LA of the tray arrangement 310 to support cables routed to thefront ports of the cassettes 200 mounted to the tray arrangement 310. Incertain implementations, the rear cable management region 326 defines acable support surface for cables routed to the rear ends 206 of thecassettes 200.

One or more front finger access apertures 328 are defined between themain region 312 and the front cable management region 324. One or morerear finger access apertures 330 are defined between the main region 312and the rear cable management region 326. In some examples, the tray 322defines a different number of front finger access apertures 328 thanrear finger access apertures 330. The finger access apertures 328, 330provide finger access to the front and/or rear ports carried by anycassettes 200 mounted to the tray arrangement 310.

FIGS. 51 and 52 illustrate another example guide 350 suitable for usewith the tray arrangement 310. The guide 350 extends along a lengthbetween a front end 352 and a rear end 354 and along a height between abottom and a top surface 364. The guide 350 also has opposite first andsecond sides 356, 358 facing orthogonally to length and the height. Incertain implementations, the guide 350 is substantially similar to theguide 150 of FIGS. 11 and 12 , except that the guide 350 does notinclude side tabs 176.

The guide 350 is configured to engage (e.g., interconnect) with acassette from only the second side 358. For example, the second side 358defines cassette engagement structure and the first side 356 does not.In the example shown, the first side 356 defines a closed surface 360and the second side 358 defines a groove 362 that extends along thelength between opposite open ends. In some examples, the guide 350 hasan L-shaped cross-sectional profile (e.g., see FIG. 54 ).

The guides 350 each define a top surface 364 extending along the lengthof the guide 350. In certain examples, the top surface 364 of a guide350 defines a ramped surface 372 at the first and second open ends ofthe groove 362. The top surface 364 defines a notch 366 at anintermediate position between the first and second open ends of thegroove 362. In certain examples, the notch 366 provides access to thegroove 362 through the top surface 364. In certain implementations, thenotch 366 provides access to a forward-facing catch surface 368 and arearward-facing catch surface 370 at opposite ends of the notch 366.

In certain implementations, the guides 350 are configured to be mountedto the main region 312 of the tray arrangement 310 (e.g., to the tray322). In some examples, the guides 350 are individually mounted to thetray 322. In other examples, the guides 350 are mounted to the tray 322in one or more units with each unit including two or more guides 350.

In some examples, the guides 350 include pegs 374 that can be insertedinto apertures 355 defined through the main region 312 and heated toattach the guides 350 to the tray arrangement 310. In other examples,the guides 350 can be attached to the main region 312 by fasteners,latches, friction-fit pegs, welding, soldering, or other attachmentmechanisms.

As shown in FIG. 50 , the guides 350 are mounted to the main region 312of the tray 322 so that each guide 350 terminates before reaching thefinger access apertures 328, 330. As shown in FIG. 53 , the apertures355 may lead to countersinks or pockets 357 at the bottom of the tray322. For example, the countersinks 357 may be sized to receive materialmelted or otherwise liquefied from the pegs of the guides 350. In anexample, the countersinks 357 are sized so that the flowable material isflush with the bottom of the tray 322 when the guides 350 are attachedto the tray 322.

In certain implementations, the main region 312 defines rows ofapertures 355 through which the guides 350 can be staked, fastened, orotherwise coupled to the tray 322. In some implementations, theapertures 355 of each row are aligned along respective axes A1. In otherimplementations, one or more of the apertures 355 in a row may belaterally offset from each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 53 ,front and rear apertures 355A, 355F of each row may be aligned along theaxis A1 while intermediate apertures 355B-355E are offset along thelateral axis A relative to the axis A1. In the example shown, apertures355C and 355E are offset to be tangent to a second axis A2 spaced in afirst direction from the first axis A1 and apertures 355B and 355D areoffset to be tangent to a third axis A3 spaced in an opposite seconddirection from the first axis A1. Offsetting the apertures 355 in a rowmay increase the stability of the guide 350. In certain implementations,the apertures 355 may be positioned in a configuration to add apoke-yoke to inhibit installing the guides 350 backwards. For example,the guide 358 shown in FIG. 53 may be modified to have an odd number ofpegs.

As shown in FIGS. 54 and 55 , a thickness of the tray arrangement 310may vary. For example, FIG. 54 illustrates two example guides 350mounted to a first tray 322A having a first thickness T1 and the sametwo guides 350 mounted to a second tray 322B having a second thicknessT2. In other examples, additional components can be mounted to the tray322A to create a thickness of T2.

In some implementations, different guides 350 with different sizes ofpegs 374 are used with each tray 322A, 322B. For example, the guide 350used with the thicker tray 322B may have a longer peg 374. In otherimplementations, the same guides 350 can be utilized with trays 322A,322B of different thicknesses T1, T2. For example, each of the trays322A, 322B may have a respective countersink 357 sized based on thelength of the peg 374 extend through the aperture 355. In still otherexamples, the same countersink 357 may be used with both trays 322A,322B.

In some such examples, the, each tray 322A, 322B may have a commoncountersink 357 that is configured to accommodate different amounts ofpeg material. For example, FIG. 56 illustrates a countersink 357 sizedto receive the flowable material from a peg 374 extending through thethicker tray 322B so that the flowable material is about flush with thebottom of the tray 322B. The countersink 357 of FIG. 56 defines channelsor wells 359 to accommodate additional flowable material when the peg374 is utilized with the thinner tray 322A. It will be understood that agreater or lesser number of channels or wells 359 can be provided at thecountersink 357 and in other configurations.

In other such examples, the countersink 357 may be sized so that theflowable material is flush with a bottom of the tray 322A for thethinner tray 322A, but fills only a portion of the countersink 357 forthe thicker tray 322B. In certain implementations, a tool that melts orotherwise liquefies the pegs 374 may include a protrusion that extendspartially into the countersink 357 to press or displace the flowablematerial towards the periphery of the countersink 357 for betteradhesion.

Referring now to FIGS. 17-20 , the cassettes 200 (e.g., cassettes 200A,200B, 200C, and 200D) are configured to slidingly mount to the trayarrangement 110 using the guides 150, 350. A cassette 200 includes acassette body 202 that extends along a width W2 between opposite firstand second ends 208, 210, along a length L2 between front and rear ends204, 206, and along a height H2 (FIG. 19 ) between a bottom and a top.The length L2, width W2, and height H2 are orthogonal to each other. Thecassette 200 includes a bottom rail 220 (FIG. 19 ) that is configured tofit (i.e., inter-connect) within the groove 162, 362 of a respective oneof the guides 150, 350. The bottom rail 220 is configured to slide alongthe groove 162, 362 from either the open front end or the open rear endof the groove 162, 362.

In certain implementations, the cassette body 202 includes an end rail218 (FIGS. 19 and 23 ) at the first end 208 of the cassette body 202.The end rail 218 is configured to fit within the groove 162, 362 of arespective one of the guides 150, 350. The end rail 218 is configured toslide along the groove 162, 362 from either the open front end or theopen rear end of the groove 162, 362. In the example shown in FIGS. 19and 20 , the bottom rail 220 and the end rail 218 would slide alongadjacent guides 150, 350. In other examples, however, the bottom rail220 and the end rail 218 are configured to slide along non-adjacentguides 150, 350 (e.g., see FIG. 37 ). In certain examples, each guide150, 350 is configured to inter-connect with no more than one cassette200.

In certain examples, the end rail 218 and the bottom rail 220 of eachcassette body 202 extend in a common direction from a base end 218 a,220 a attached to the cassette body 202 to a free end 218 b, 220 b. Inan example, the common direction extends along the width W2 of thecassette body 202. In some examples, the free ends 218 b, 220 b of therails 218, 220 extend parallel with the height H2 of the cassette body202. In other examples, the free ends 218 b, 220 b of the rails 218, 220are angled relative to the height H2 of the cassette body 202 (e.g., seeFIGS. 19 and 20 ).

In certain implementations, front and/or rear ends of the end rail 218and the bottom rail 220 are offset inwardly from the front 204 and rear206 of the cassette body 202 (e.g., see FIG. 64 ). For example, thefront and rear of the bottom rail 220 are disposed within a respectivebottom channel 222. Offsetting the front and/or rear ends of the rails218, 220 may facilitate positioning of the cassette 200 on the trayarrangement 110 by first roughly aligning the guides 150, 350 with thebottom channel 222 and then further aligning the rails 118, 220 with thegrooves 162, 362 of the guides 150, 350. In certain examples, molding ofthe bottom rail 220 can be facilitated by including a recess 299 facingthe free end of the bottom rail 220 along at least an intermediateportion of the bottom rail 220.

The second end 210 of the cassette body 202 is not configured to engagea guide 150, 350. In certain examples, the cassette body 202 is devoidof rails (i.e., does not include any rails) at the second end 210 (e.g.,see FIG. 18 ). Rather, the second end 210 of the cassette body 202directly opposes the first side 156, 356 (e.g., the closed surface 160,360) of the guide 150, 350. In certain examples, the second end 210 ofthe cassette body 202 defines a generally flat surface. In certainexamples, the second end 210 of the cassette body 202 is spaced from thefirst side 156, 356 of the guide 150, 350 sufficient to avoid contactingthe guide 150, 350.

The cassette body 202 defines a two or more front apertures (e.g., threefront apertures, four front apertures, six front apertures, etc.) 212 atthe front end 204. Each of the front apertures 212 is configured to holdone or more optical adapters 230, 232, 234, 236. In certainimplementations, the front apertures 212 are separated from each otherby respective intermediate regions 214. For example, in FIG. 19 , thecassette body 202 defines a first front aperture 212A separated from asecond front aperture 212B by an intermediate region 214.

As shown in FIG. 58 , the intermediate regions 214 of a cassette 200have a consistent size so that adjacent front apertures 212 of acassette 200 are spaced from each other by a gap G1 that extends alongthe width W2 of the cassette 200. In certain examples, the frontapertures 212 of a cassette 200 also have a consistent size extendingalong the width W2 of the cassette 200. In certain examples, allcassettes 200 that fit on the tray arrangement 110 have equally sizedfront apertures 212. In certain examples, the cassettes 200 areconfigured so that adjacent front apertures 212 of adjacent cassettes200 (e.g., the right-most front aperture 212 of a first cassette 200 andthe left-most front aperture 212 of a second cassette 200) are spacedfrom each other by a spacing G2 that is the same (within manufacturingtolerances) as the spacing G1 of the adjacent front apertures 212 of thesame cassette 200 (e.g., see FIG. 58 ). Making the spacing betweenadjacent front apertures 212 of adjacent cassettes 200 consistent withthe spacing between adjacent front apertures 212 of the same cassette200 facilitates mixing different sizes of cassettes 200 on the trayarrangement 110 at a discretion of the user.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 , the cassette body 202 defines a bottomchannel 222 extending along the length L2 of the cassette body 202. Thebottom channels 222 are sized to receive guides 150, 350 to enable acassette 200 to extend over one or more guides 150, 350. In someimplementations, the channels 222 are sized so that a top of the channel222 is spaced from the top surface 164, 364 of the guide 150, 350received therein. In other implementations, the channels 222 are sizedso that a top of the channel 222 rests on and slides along the top 164,364 of the guide 150, 350. Each cassette 200 spans at least two bays140, 340 of the tray arrangement 110, 310. In certain examples, thebottom channel 222 is disposed at an intermediate region 214 of thecassette 200 between two front apertures 212.

In certain implementations, each intermediate region 214 defines abottom channel 222. Accordingly, a cassette 200 having two frontapertures 212A, 212B defines a single bottom channel 222. A cassette 200having three front apertures 212 defines two bottom channels 222—a firstbottom channel 222 disposed between the first front aperture 212A andthe second front aperture 212B and a second bottom channel 222 disposedbetween the second front aperture 212B and a third front aperture 212(e.g., see FIG. 37 ). A cassette 200 having four front apertures 212defines three bottom channels 222 (e.g., see FIG. 41 ). A cassette 200having six front apertures 212 defines five bottom channels 222 (e.g.,see FIG. 45 ).

In certain implementations, a punch-out cover may be initially providedat one or more of the front apertures 212 so a respective opticaladapter is mounted at fewer than all of the front apertures 212. In suchcases, a user has the flexibility to select a position for a frontoptical adapter to facilitate cable routing.

In certain implementations, the bottom rail 220 of the cassette body 202is disposed within the bottom channel 222. The bottom rail 220 extendsless than a width of the bottom channel 222 to accommodate the guide150, 350 within the bottom channel 222 (e.g., see FIG. 48 ). In certainexamples, the bottom rail 220 is flush with a bottom of the cassettebody 202. In certain examples, the bottom rail 220 and the end rail 218are coplanar with each other.

In the example shown in FIG. 48 , a cassette 200B is mounted to guides150, 350 of a tray arrangement 110. The cassette 200B spans three bays140, 340—a first bay 140, 340 disposed between the first guide 150A,350A and the second guide 150B, 350B, a second bay 140, 340 disposedbetween the second and third guides 150B, 350B, 150C, 350C and a thirdbay 140, 340 disposed between the third guide 150C, 350C and a fourthguide 150D, 350D. The cassette 200B defines bottom channels 222 thatreceive the second and third guides 150B, 350B, 150C, 350C. The firstguide 150A, 350A inter-connects with the end rail 218 of the cassette200B. The second guide 150B, 350B does not inter-connect with anystructure of the cassette 200B, but rather slides within one of thebottom channels 222. In an example, the cassette 200B may slide along atop 164, 364 of the second guide 150B, 350B. The third guide 150C, 350Cinter-connects with the bottom rail 220 of the cassette 200B within theother bottom channel 222. In the example shown, the cassette 200Bextends towards, but does not engage a fourth guide 150D, 350D at anopposite side of the third bay 140, 340. Rather, the fourth guide 150D,350D receives the end rail 218 of an adjacent cassette 200. In otherimplementations, the tray arrangement 110, 310 may not include a fourthguide 150D, 350D. Similarly, the first guide 150, 350 does not engagethe cassette 200 disposed at an opposite side of the first guide 150A,350A from the cassette 200B.

In certain implementations, each front aperture 212 of a cassette 200has a common size. In certain examples, each of the front apertures 212has a footprint sized to two standardized ports. As the term is usedherein, a standardized port refers to a sufficient spacing toaccommodate an MPO port or a duplex-LC port at a discretion of the user.In FIG. 17 , the cassette body 202 is shown carrying a quadruplex LCadapter 230 at each of the front apertures 212. Each quadruplex LCadapter 230 defines two duplex-LC ports (i.e., four LC ports). In otherexamples, the cassette body 202 may carry a duplex MPO adapter 234(e.g., see FIG. 21 ), two quadruplex SN adapters 236 (e.g., see FIG. 22), two SC adapters, or any desired adapter type that fits in aquadruplex LC adapter footprint. In still other implementations, thefront apertures 212 may be sized to handle other port footprints.

In certain examples, cassette 200 is configured to fit one frontaperture 212 per bay 140. In certain examples, each tray arrangement 110defines at least twelve bays 140. In certain examples, each frontaperture 212 is configured to fit four LC ports. In such examples, eachtray arrangement 110 is configured to hold forty-eight LC ports. Incertain examples, each front aperture 212 is configured to hold four SNports. In such examples, each tray arrangement 110 is configured to holdforty-eight SN ports (or ninety-six fibers). In certain examples, eachfront aperture 212 is configured to hold a duplex MPO ports—eachreceiving eight, twelve, sixteen, or twenty-four live fibers. In suchexamples, each tray arrangement 110 is configured to hold twenty-fourMPO ports.

In certain implementations, three tray arrangements 110 fit within a 1RU chassis. In certain examples, each 1 RU chassis may hold at least 144LC ports. In certain examples, each 1 RU chassis may hold at least 144SN ports (or 288 fiber connections). In certain examples, each 1 RUchassis may hold at least 72 MPO ports (for 576 fiber connections, 864fiber connections, 1,152 fiber connections, and 1,728 fiber connectionsdepending on the number of live fibers received).

In certain implementations, the cassettes 200 are configured to lock tothe guides 150, 350 in at least one discrete position. Each cassette 200includes a latching arrangement 240 that rides over the top 164, 364 ofa respective one of the guides 150, 350. The latching arrangement 240includes a stop member 242 that drops into the notch 166, 366 of therespective guide 150, 350 to lock the cassette 200 to the guide 150,350. The latching arrangement 240 also includes a release handle 244 toraise the stop member 242 out of the notch 166, 366.

The stop member 242 is carried by the cassette body 202 at the first end208. The stop member 242 is movable relative to the cassette body 202along a movement axis SM that extends parallel to the height H2 of thecassette 200. In certain implementations, the stop member 242 is movablealong the movement axis SM between a lock position and a releaseposition. In certain examples, the stop member 242 is biased to the lockposition.

In certain implementations, the stop member 242 rides over the rampedsurface 172, 372 at the front end 152, 352 or rear end 154, 354 of theguide 150, 350 when the cassette 200 is first mounted to the guides 150,350. The ramped surfaces 172, 372 transition the stop member 242 fromthe lock position to the release position. The top 164, 364 of the guide150, 350 maintains the stop member 242 in the release position until thestop member 242 vertically aligns with the notch 166, 366. The notch166, 366 allows the stop member 242 to transition to the lock position.

The release handle 244 is configured to move relative to the cassettebody 202 along an actuation axis A between a neutral position (FIG. 29 )and a forward extended position (FIG. 30 ). When in the neutralposition, the release handle 244 enables the stop member 242 is be inthe lock position. When disposed in the forward extended position, therelease handle 244 transitions the stop member 242 to the releaseposition. In certain implementations, the release handle 244 also can bemoved relative to the cassette body 202 along the actuation axis A to arearward extended position (FIG. 31 ). When disposed in the rearwardextended position, the release handle 244 transitions the stop member242 to the release position.

When in the lock position, engagement surfaces 246, 248 of the stopmember 242 extend at least partially through a recess or gap 218 e inthe end rail 218. The first engagement surface 246 is configured tooppose the first catch surface 168, 368 within the notch 166, 366 of theguide 150, 350 and the second engagement surface 248 is configured tooppose the second catch surface 170, 370 when the stop member 242 isengaged with the notch 166, 366. Abutment between the first engagementsurface 246 and the first catch surface 168, 368 inhibits forwardmovement of the cassette 200 along the guides 150, 350. Abutment betweenthe second engagement surface 248 and the second catch surface 170, 370inhibits rearward movement of the cassette 200 along the guides 150,350. When in the release position, the engagement surfaces 246, 248 ofthe stop member 242 are raised out of the notch 166, 366 sufficient sothat the engagement surfaces 246, 248 do not abut the catch surfaces168, 368, 170, 370 upon movement of the cassette 200 relative to theguides 150, 350.

In certain examples, the end rail 218 includes a front end rail 218 cand a rear end rail 218 d aligned along the length L2 of the cassette200 (e.g., FIG. 24 ). The rear end rail 218 d is spaced from the frontend rail 218 c along the length L2 of the cassette 200 to provide thegap 218 e. In other implementations, a recess can be provided in acontinuous end rail 218. When in the lock position, the stop member 242extends at least partially into the recess or gap 218 e (e.g., see FIG.24 ). When in the release position, the engagement surfaces 246, 248 ofthe stop member 242 are raised out of the recess or gap 218 e.

In certain implementations, the stop member 242 is coupled to thecassette body 202 using one or more spring members 250. In the exampleshown, first and second spring members 250 extend from opposite sides ofthe stop member 242. In certain examples, the spring members 250 limitthe movement of the stop member 242 to the movement axis SM. The springmembers 250 bias the stop member 242 to the lock position.

The release handle 244 is actuated by moving the release handle 244 in adifferent direction than the stop member 242 moves. In certain examples,the release handle 244 is moved orthogonally to the movement of the stopmember 242. In an example, the release handle 244 is moved along theforward-rearward axis FR of the tray arrangement 110 while the stopmember 242 moves along the height H2 of the cassette 200.

In certain implementations, the stop member 242 is carried outside amain interior of the cassette body 202. Accordingly, movement of thestop member 242 does not affect the optical fibers or other connectionsdisposed within the main interior of the cassette body 202. In certainexamples, the cassette body 202 includes a base 260 and a cover 262 thatcooperate to define the main interior. In certain examples, the stopmember 242 is carried at an exterior of the base 260, but is at leastpartially covered by the cover 262. For example, the cover 262 mayinclude an overhang portion 264 that extends over the stop member 242(e.g., see FIGS. 20 and 25 ). In some implementations, the cover 262 mayinclude one or more latching members 266 to secure the cover 262 to thebase 260. In other implementations, the cover 262 may be secured to thebase 260 by fasteners, welding, or other securement mechanisms.

In certain implementations, the stop member 242 includes a cammingmember 252 that engages the release handle 244. Interaction between thecamming member 252 and the release handle 244 transitions the stopmember 242 between the lock and release positions as will be describedin more detail herein. In certain examples, the camming member 252 isdisposed at an opposite end of the stop member 242 from the engagementsurfaces 246, 248. For example, the camming member 252 may be disposedat a top of the stop member 242 while the engagement surfaces 246, 248are disposed at a bottom of the stop member 242. In certain examples,the camming member 252 extends outwardly from the stop member 242 alongthe width W2 of the cassette 200. In an example, the camming member 252extends from the stop member 242 away from the cassette body 202 (e.g.,see FIG. 23 ). In another example, the camming member 252 extends fromthe stop member 242 towards the cassette body 202.

In certain implementations, the base 260 defines a channel 268 along theexterior of the cassette 200 at the first end 208. The channel 268 issized to hold the release handle 244. The channel 268 extends along thelength L2 of the cassette 200 past the stop member 242. At least aportion of the stop member 242 is disposed within the channel 268. Incertain implementations, the overhang portion 264 of the cover 262extends over the release handle 244.

As shown in FIGS. 26, 27, and 57 , the release handle 244 includes atransition arrangement 270 and a forward grip portion 276. As best seenin FIG. 28A, the transition arrangement 270 includes a ramped surface272 along which the camming member 252 rides as the release handle 244is moved along the actuation axis A between the neutral position and theforwardly extended position (e.g., see FIGS. 29 and 30 ). As the cammingmember 252 rides along the ramped surface 272, the stop member 242 moveswith the camming member 252 along the movement axis SM (compare FIGS. 29and 30 ).

In certain implementations, the ramped surface 272 is a first rampedsurface and the transition arrangement 270 also includes a second rampedsurface 274 extending in an opposite direction from the first rampedsurface 272. As the camming member 252 rides along the second rampedsurface 274, the stop member 242 moves with the camming member 252 alongthe movement axis SM. The camming member 252 rides along the secondramped surface 274 when the release handle 244 moves along the actuationaxis A in a rearward direction relative to the cassette body 202 to therearward extended position (FIG. 31 ).

In certain implementations, the transition arrangement 270 straddles thestop member 242. For example, the transition arrangement 270 may definesa first pair of inner and outer ramped surfaces 272A, 272B disposed onopposite sides of the stop member 242 from each other and a second pairof ramped surfaces 274A, 274B disposed on opposite sides of the stopmember 242 from each other. The stop member 242 may include a firstcamming member 252A extending towards the cassette body 202 and a secondcamming member 252B extending outwardly away from the cassette body 202.The first camming member 252A is configured to ride along the innerfirst and second ramped surfaces 272A, 274A and the second cammingmember 252B is configured to ride along the outer first and secondramped surfaces 272B, 274B. By straddling the stop member 242, thetransition member 270 provides more stability to the movement of thestop member 242.

In other implementations, the stop member 242 may define a singlecamming member 252 and the transition arrangement 270 may define asingle first ramped surface and a single second ramped surface alongwhich the camming member 252 rides. In the example shown in FIG. 47 ,the stop member 242 includes a single camming member extending towardsthe cassette body 202. In the example shown in FIG. 47 , the first andsecond ramped surfaces define part of a triangular shaped aperture inthe transition arrangement 270.

In certain implementations, the cassette body 202 and the release handle244 are configured to limit movement of the release handle 244 relativeto the cassette body 202 along the actuation axis A to between theforwardly extended position and the rearwardly extended position. Forexample, the cassette body 202 may define forward and rearward stopsurfaces 254 that oppose forward and rearward abutment surfaces 256 onthe release handle 244 (e.g., see FIG. 27 ). When the release handle 244is moved to the forwardly extended position, the forward abutmentsurface 256 engages or is close to engaging the forward stop surface 254of the cassette body 202. When the release handle 244 is moved to therearwardly extended position, the rearward abutment surface 256 engagesor is close to engaging the rearward stop surface 254 of the cassettebody 202.

Accordingly, pulling the release handle 244 forwardly relative to thecassette body 202 releases the cassette 200 from the guide 150, 350.Continuing to pull forwardly on the release handle 244 causes therelease handle 244 to entrain the cassette body 202 in the forwarddirection, thereby sliding the cassette body 202 along the guides 150,350 in the forward direction. Pushing the release handle 244 rearwardlyrelative to the cassette body 202 also releases the cassette 200 fromthe guide 150, 350. Continuing to push rearwardly on the release handle244 causes the release handle 244 to entrain the cassette body 202 inthe rearward direction, thereby sliding the cassette body 202 along theguides 150, 350 in the rearward direction.

In certain implementations, the first and second ramped surfaces 272,274 are defined by a cutout or aperture in the release handle 244. Inthe example shown in FIG. 28A, the first and second ramped surfaces 272,274 are defined by a V-shaped groove. In other examples, the first andsecond ramped surface 272, 274 may be defined by a triangular aperturein the transition arrangement 270. In still other examples, the cutoutor aperture may have any desired shape including the ramped surface 272,274.

The release handle 244 extends forwardly of the cassette body 202 sothat the forward grip portion 276 is disposed forwardly of the front end204 of the cassette 200 (e.g., see FIGS. 17 and 18 ). In certainimplementations, the forward grip portion 276 is angled relative to amajority of the release handle 244 to facilitate grasping of the forwardgrip portion 276. In certain examples, the forward grip portion 276 maybe angled along the lateral axis LA. In an example, the forward gripportion 276 is angled away from the first end 118 of the trayarrangement 110 to facilitate grasping the grip portion 276 withoutinterference from the chassis 105 of any components mounted at the firstend 118 of the tray arrangement 110.

In certain implementations, the forward grip portion 276 is configuredto flex or deflect relative to a remainder of the release handle 244. Incertain examples, the forward grip portion 276 may include a grip member280 attached to a remainder of the release handle 244 by a flexiblesection 282. In certain examples, the flexible section 282 enables thegrip member 280 to deflect along the width W2 of the cassette 200. Thisdeflection ability facilitates grasping of the grip member 280 when thecassettes 200 are densely packed on the tray arrangement 110, especiallywhen cables are routed to the front ports. In some examples, theflexible section 282 enables deflection of the grip member 280 along theheight H2 of the cassette 200. In certain examples, the flexible section282 enables a reduced amount of deflection along the height H2 comparedto along the width W2. In other examples, the flexible section 282inhibits deflection of the grip member 280 along the height H2 of thecassette 200.

In certain implementations, the handle 244 also includes a rearward gripportion 278. The release handle 244 extends rearwardly of the cassettebody 202 so that the rearward grip portion 276 is disposed rearwardly ofthe rear end 206 of the cassette 200 (e.g., see FIGS. 17 and 18 ). Incertain examples, the rearward grip portion 278 has a different shapethan the forward grip portion 276. In certain examples, the rearwardgrip portion 278 is hook shaped. In certain examples, the rearward gripportion 278 is not deflectable relative to the transition arrangement270.

FIGS. 32-34 illustrate an alternative latching arrangement 240′ suitablefor use in locking the cassette 200 to a guide 150, 350. The latchingarrangement 240′ includes first stop member 242′and second stop members242′ extending along the channel 268 at the first end 208 of thecassette body 202. The latching arrangement 240′ also includes a releasehandle 244′ that defines first and second ramped surfaces 272′, 274′that transition the stop members 242′ from lock positions to releasepositions.

Each stop member 242′ includes a latching hook deflectable along theheight H2 of the cassette body 202. The first stop member 242′ extendsrearwardly and defines a first engagement surface 246′ facing in theforwardly direction and the second stop member 242′ extends forwardlyand defines a second engagement surface 248′ facing in the rearwarddirection. When the stop members 242′ align with the notch 166, 366through the top 164, 364 of the guide 150, 350, the first engagementsurface 246′ abuts against the rearward-facing catch surface 170, 370 toinhibit movement of the cassette 200 relative to the guide 150, 350 inthe forward direction. The second engagement surface 248′ abuts againstthe forward-facing catch surface 168, 368 to inhibit movement of thecassette 200 relative to the guide 150, 350 in the rearward direction.

The release handle 244′ includes a transition arrangement 270′ thatdefines the first and second ramped surfaces 272′, 274′. In the exampleshown, the transition arrangement 270′ includes a protrusion extendingoutwardly from the release handle 244 away from the cassette body 202.In other implementations, the protrusion may extend from the releasehandle 244 towards the cassette body 202.

Each latching hook defines a camming surface 252′ that seats on arespective one of the first and second ramped surfaces 272′, 274′. Inthe example shown, the tips of the latching hooks seat on the rampedsurfaces 272′, 274′. When the release handle 244 is moved along theactuation axis A in the forward direction, the transition arrangement270′ moves towards the first latching hook so that the camming surface252′ of the first latching hook rides over the first ramped surface272′, thereby deflecting the first engagement surface 246′ to therelease position. As the cassette body 202 begins to move forwardlyrelative to the guide 150, 350, the camming surface 252′ of the secondlatching hook rides over the rearward-facing catch surface 170, 370 ofthe guide 150, 350. Both latching hooks ride over the top 164, 364 ofthe guide 150, 350 in the release position as the cassette 200 is slidalong the guide 150, 350.

Similarly, when the release handle 244 is moved along the actuation axisA in the rearward direction, the transition arrangement 270′ movestowards the second latching hook so that the camming surface 252′ of thesecond latching hook rides over the second ramped surface 274′, therebydeflecting the second engagement surface 248′ to the release position.As the cassette body 202 begins to move rearwardly relative to the guide150, 350, the camming surface 252′ of the first latching hook rides overthe forward-facing catch surface 168 of the guide 150, 350. Bothlatching hooks ride over the top 164, 364 of the guide 150 in therelease position as the cassette 200 is slid along the guide 150, 350.

Referring to the figures in general, some implementations of a cassette200 are configured to receive a like number of plug connectors from thefront and from the rear. Such cassettes 200 carry port members 300(e.g., optical adapters) only at the front end 204 of the cassette body202. Examples of such cassettes 200 are shown in FIG. 47 as cassette200E, in FIG. 59 as cassette 200F, and in FIGS. 97-98 as cassette 200 j.The rear end 206 of the cassette body 202 defines a fiber port or cableport 284 through which fibers or one or more cables may extend into thecassette 200E, 200F, 200 j. In some examples, the fiber port or cableport 284 is disposed at a center of the rear end 206 of the cassette 200(e.g., see FIGS. 47 and 59 ). In other examples, the fiber port or cableport 284 is offset along the rear end 206 towards one side of thecassette body 202 (e.g., see FIG. 97 ). The cassette 200E, 200F, 200 jmay carry fiber management members 286 (e.g., a spool, a bend radiuslimiter, a retention finger, etc.) to facilitate routing fibers orcables between the front port members 300 and the rear port 284. Thecassette 200E of FIG. 47 includes a spool about which excess length ofthe fibers can be stored. The cassette 200F of FIG. 59 is not configuredto store excess length of the fibers. The cassette 200 j of FIGS. 97 and98 defines apertures 203 through the floor 225 in alignment with thefront port members 300. In certain examples, the cassette 200 j stillincludes an elongate section 292 protruding into the cassette interior205 to define the bottom channel 222.

Connectorized ends of the fibers or cables routed into the cassette 200can be plugged into rear ports 304 defined by the forward port members300. For example, a plurality of connectorized optical fibers can beplugged into rear ports of LC optical adapters 230 disposed at the frontend 204 of the cassette 200 to mate with connectorized optical fibersplugged into front ports of the LC optical adapters 230. In anotherexample, a connectorized end of a multi-fiber cable can be plugged intoa rear port of an MPO optical adapter disposed at the front end 204 ofthe cassette to mate with an MPO plug connector received at the frontport.

In some implementations, cassettes 200 connecting like numbers of plugconnectors include a cover 262. For example, a stub length of fibers orcable may be pre-terminated at the rear ports 304 of the front portmembers 300 and then routed out of the cassette 200 through the fiber orcable port 284. In such examples, access to the rear ports 304 of thefront port members 300 is not needed. The opposite end of the stub canbe unterminated to facilitate splicing to one or more network cables. Inother implementations, cassettes 200 connecting like numbers of plugconnectors may have an open top that does not receive a cover (e.g.,FIG. 47 ). The open top may facilitate access to the rear ports 304 ofthe front port members 300 when stub fibers are not included with thecassette 200. Rather, terminated ends of the network cables are routeddirectly to the front port members.

In other implementations, the cassettes 200 are configured to connectunlike numbers of plug connectors. For example, a cassette 200 may carryone or more port members 300 (e.g., single MPO adapters 232) at the rearend 206 of the cassette body 202. Media segments (e.g., optical fibers)extend between the rear port members and the front port members to formconnections therebetween. In some implementations, the rear port membersinclude multi-fiber optical adapters (e.g., MPO adapters) and the frontport members include single-fiber optical adapters (e.g., LC adapters).In other implementations, the cassette 200 is configured to receivehigher fiber count cables at the rear than at the front. For example, atwenty-four fiber MPO plug connector received at the rear end 206 of thecassette 200 may connect through the cassette 200 to three eight-fiberMPO plug connectors at the front, to twenty-four single-fiber LC plugconnectors at the front, or to twelve dual-fiber SN plug connectors atthe front.

In certain implementations, the cassette body 202 defines one or morerear apertures 216 at the rear end 206 at which to receive the rear portmembers. In certain examples, each rear aperture 216 is configured tohold one or more multi-fiber optical adapters. In certain examples, eachof the rear apertures 216 has a footprint sized to one standardizedport. For example, each rear aperture 216 may receive an MPO opticaladapter. In certain examples, the rear apertures 216 are sized smallerthan the front apertures 212. In an example, each cassette 200 has asingle rear aperture 216. In another example, each cassette 200 has tworear apertures 216. In another example, each cassette 200 has three rearapertures 216. In certain examples, each rear aperture 216 is sized tohold one standardized port. In certain implementations, a punch-outcover may be initially provided at each of the rear apertures 216 so arespective optical adapter is mounted at fewer than all of the rearapertures 216. In such cases, a user has the flexibility to select aposition for a rear optical adapter to facilitate cable routing.

Referring now to FIGS. 60-63 , the interior 205 of certain types ofcassette 200 is configured to accommodate the bottom channel 222extending between the front 204 and rear 206 of the cassette body 202.The cassette interior 205 also provides access to interior ports 304 ofport members 300 carried at the front 204 and/or rear 206 of thecassette body 202. In certain implementations, the plug connectors 306(e.g., optical fibers connectors, electrical connectors, hybridconnectors, etc.) are received in any of the interior ports 304 (e.g.,see FIG. 62 ). Media segments terminated by the plug connectors 306 canbe routed along the width W2 of the cassette 200 without obstruction bythe bottom channel 222.

In certain implementations, the front 204 and/or rear 206 of thecassette body 202 has sufficient height H3 between a floor 225 and a topof the cassette body 202 to enable mounting of one or more port members300 and to enable insertion of plug connectors 306 into interior ports304 of the port members 300. For example, the floor 225 of the cassettebody 202 defines first regions 290 at the interior ports 304 of the portmembers 300.

To define the bottom channel 222, the cassette body 202 includes anelongate section 292 protruding into the cassette interior 205 andextending between the front 204 and the rear 206 of the cassette body204. The bottom channel 222 is defined along the elongate section 292.The elongate section protrudes into the cassette interior at a height H4above the first regions 290 of the floor 225.

In certain implementations, the floor 225 of the cassette body 202 alsohas a second section 294 intermediate the front 204 and rear 206 of thecassette 200. Each second floor section 294 is aligned with one of thefirst floor sections 290. Each second floor section 294 is raisedrelative to the first section 290. For example, the second floor section294 may be raised above the first floor section 290 by a height H5. Incertain examples, the height H5 is at least as tall as the height H4. Incertain examples, the height H5 is no more tall than the height H4. Incertain examples, the height H5 is the same as the height H4. In certainexamples, the second floor section 294 and the elongate sections 292cooperate to define a raised intermediate surface that extends fullyacross the width of the interior 205 of the cassette 200.

In certain examples, the floor 225 transitions between the first andsecond floor sections 290, 294 via ramped floor sections 296. In otherexamples, the transitional sections 296 may be contoured or otherwisetransition between the first and second floor sections 290, 294. Mediasegments (e.g., optical fibers, electrical conductors, hybrid cables,etc.) extending inwardly from the interior ports 304 of the port members300 can be routed from the first floor sections 290, over thetransitional sections 296, to the raised sections 294. At the raisedsection, the media segments can be routed along the width of thecassette over the raised section 294 without being obstructed by theelongate section 292.

In certain implementations, the cassette 200 defines multiple bottomchannels 222. In such implementations, multiple elongate sections 292protrude into the cassette interior 205 at spaced intervals along thewidth (e.g., see FIG. 62 ). The second floor section 294 may extendalong the width of the cassette 200 to connect all of the elongatesections 292 to form a combined raised surface over which media segmentscan be routed. Accordingly, a media segment having a first end receivedat the interior port 304 of a rear port member 300 at a first side ofthe cassette body 202 can have a second end received at the interiorport 304 of a front port member 300 at a second side or middle of thecassette body 202 without routing the media segment over a sharp corner.

In certain implementations, the elongate section(s) 292 within thecassette interior 205 define lanes extending between respective frontand rear port members 300. Each lane has first floor sections 290 at thefront and rear port members 300 and a second floor section 294therebetween. Each elongate section 292 separates adjacent ones of thefirst floor sections 290. In certain examples, the second floor sections294 are continuous with each other to facilitate routing of mediasegments amongst the lanes.

In certain implementations, the bottom of the cassette body 202 iscontoured to define one or more recesses 298 at intermediate locationsbetween the front 204 and rear 206 of the cassette 200. In certainexamples, the recesses 298 align with the raised second floor sections294. In the example shown in FIG. 64 , the recess 298 contours upwardlyto follows the transition sections 296 and the raised second floorsection 294 within the cassette 200.

FIGS. 66-71 illustrate another example implementation 200G of a cassette200 suitable for use with the tray arrangement 120. The cassette 200G isa splice cassette defining a splice region 380 at which a splice holder390, 394 can be mounted, The splice cassette 200G defines a cableentrance 388 at the rear 204 and holds a plurality of port members 300at the front 202. In certain examples, the cable entrance 388 definesapertures 392 or structures at which one or more cable ties (e.g., zipties, hook-and-loop straps, etc.) can be mounted to secure one or morecables. In the example shown, each of the port members 300 includes anoptical adapter 236 configured to receive four SN plug connectors in ahorizontal configuration. Other types of port members 300 are possible.

In some implementations, a first type of splice holder 390 can bemounted at the splice region 380 (e.g., see FIGS. 66 and 67 ) and inother implementations, a second type of splice holder 394 can be mountedat the splice region 380 (e.g., see FIGS. 68-70 ). The first type ofsplice holder 390 is configured to hold multiple splice protectors forsingle-fiber splices (i.e., a splice between two single fibers). Thesecond type of splice holder 394 defines a channel 395 configured tohold a splice protector for a multi-fiber splice (e.g., a mass-fusionsplice). In certain examples, the second type of splice holder 394defines has a perimeter configured to provide bend radius limitprotection to fibers wrapped there around. In certain examples, thesecond type of splice holder 394 includes retention fingers 398extending outwardly from the perimeter to guide fibers around theperimeter.

In certain implementations, an intermediate section of the floor 225 ofthe cassette 200G is lower compared to the floor 225 of non-splicecassettes (e.g., adapter packs, conversion cassettes, etc.) toaccommodate the splice holders 390, 394. Accordingly, in certainexamples, the elongate sections 292 protrude above the floor 225 along afull length of the cassette 200G from the front 202 to the rear 204 todefine regions 382, 384, 386 of the floor 225. In some implementations,the splice holder 390 is configured to fit in a single region 384 of thefloor 225 between two of the elongate sections 292. In otherimplementations, the splice holder 394 defines grooves 396 allowing thesplice holder 394 to extend over the elongate sections 292.

In certain implementations, the cassette 200G includes a mountingstructure 400 disposed at the floor 225. The mounting structure 400 isconfigured to retain the splice holder 390, 394. In certain examples,the mounting structure 400 includes a T-shaped aperture and adeflectable latch finger. Other configurations are possible. Themounting structure 400 enables the cassette 200G to be customized forthe type of splice(s) to be retained within the cassette 200G.

FIG. 72 shows another example implementation 200H of a cassette 200suitable for mounting to the tray arrangement 120. The cassette 200Hcarries another implementation 402 of port members 300. The port members402 are configured to receive very small form factor (VSFF) plugconnectors (e.g., SN plug connectors, MDC plug connectors, etc.) in avertical orientation. In certain implementations, the cassette 200H hasa height H6 that is sufficiently tall to accommodate the height of thevertically oriented VSFF port members 402. In certain examples, theheight H6 is between 11 mm and 13 mm tall. In certain examples, theheight H6 is between 11.5 mm and 12.5 mm tall. In an example, the heightis 12 mm tall.

In certain implementations, a single VSFF port member 402 is disposedbetween adjacent bottom channels 222 or between a bottom channel 222 anda side 208, 210 of the cassette 200H. In certain implementations, thebottom channels 222 of the cassette 200H have a common spacing or pitchP1 with the bottom channels 222 of the previously described cassettes200A-200G (e.g., see FIG. 73 ). For example, the bottom channels 222 mayhave a channel pitch P1 between 30 mm and 35 mm. In certain examples,the bottom channels 222 have a pitch P1 between about 32 and 33 mm awayfrom each other. In an example, the bottom channels 222 have a pitch P1of about 32.7 mm. In the example shown, the VSFF port members 402 areeach configured to receive four VSFF plug connectors. Otherconfigurations are possible.

FIGS. 74-77 illustrate another implementation 200I of a cassette 200.The cassette 200I is configured substantially the same as the VSFFcassette 200H, except with a different channel pitch P2 that is largerthan the channel pitch P1. Accordingly, the cassette 200I is suited formounting to a tray arrangement 404 that is substantially the same as thetray arrangement 120 except for the spacing (i.e., pitch) between theguides 150, 350 (e.g., compare FIGS. 15 and 78 ). For example, the trayarrangement 120 of FIG. 15 carries twelve guides 150, 350 while the trayarrangement 404 of FIG. 78 carries nine guides 150, 350.

In certain implementations, the difference in channel pitch P2 providesmore space between the bottom channels 222 of the cassette 200I, whichcan be filled with additional or larger port members 300. For example,as shown in FIG. 73 , the cassette 200I can carry a port member 402defining eight ports for VSFF plug connectors at the front end 204between the channels 222 whereas the cassette 200H carries a port member402 defining four ports for VSFF plug connectors. FIG. 77 shows threedifferent types of port members 300 that can be carried by the cassette200I. A first type of port member 300 is a shuttered adapter 402 aconfigured to receive SN plug connectors. A second type of port member300 is a non-shuttered adapter 402 b configured to receive SN plugconnectors. A third type of port member 300 is a non-shuttered adapter402 c configured to receive MDC plug connectors.

In certain implementations, the cassette 200I can carry one or more portmembers 300 (e.g., single MPO adapters 232) at the rear end 206 of thecassette 200I. For example, the cassette 200I may define one or morerear apertures 216 at the rear end 206 at which to receive the rear portmembers 300. In certain implementations, the cassette 200I may includemore rear apertures 216 than port members 300. In such implementations,a punch-out cover 406 may be initially provided at each of the rearapertures 216 not receiving a port member 300. In such cases, a user hasthe flexibility to select a position for a rear port member 300 tofacilitate cable routing.

Referring to FIG. 81 , in certain implementations, one or more fibermanagement structures 412 (e.g., spools, bend radius limiters, fiberguides, etc.) can be provided within any of the cassettes 200 disclosedherein. In certain examples, the body 202 of the cassette 200 isconfigured to receive the fiber management structure(s) 412. In certainexamples, a fiber management structure 412 is removably mounted to thecassette body 202. In certain implementations, the fiber managementstructure 412 defines a through passage 418 through which one or morefibers can be routed. The fiber management structure 412 inhibitsbending optical fibers beyond a minimum bend radius. In certainexamples, the fiber management structure 412 facilitates maintainingseparation or segregation of optical fibers of different cables.

In the example shown in FIGS. 77 and 88 , the floor 225 of the cassette200 defines one or more apertures 410 at which a fiber managementstructure 412 can be mounted. For example, a mounting member 414 of afiber management structure 412 may be inserted through one of theapertures 410. In certain implementations, the mounting member 414 maybe twisted to lock the mounting member 414 from moving back through theaperture 410. In certain implementations, the cassette 200 includes aretaining structure 408 to which the mounting member 414 can secure. Incertain implementations, a blocking member 407 extends below eachaperture 410.

FIGS. 82 and 83 illustrate a first example 412 a of a fiber managementstructure 412 suitable for use within the cassettes 200. The first fibermanagement structure 412 a includes a body 416a that defines a throughpassage 418 through which one or more optical fibers may be routed. Thebody 416 defines a slit 420 leading to the through passage 418 to allowfibers to be laterally inserted into the passage 418 instead ofthreading the fibers through the passage 418. In certain examples, thebody 416 also defines an outwardly extending gripping flange 422. Themounting member 414 includes a neck 424 extending outwardly from thebody 416 to a foot 426. The foot 426 includes a first resilient lockmember 428 and a second resilient lock member 432. Each resilient lockmember 428, 432 defines a lead-in side 427, 431 and a retaining side429, 433. The lead-in side 427, 431 is contoured (e.g., curved orramped) while the retaining side 429, 433 is flat. In certain examples,the foot 426 is elongate along an axis E between the first and secondlock members 428, 432.

FIGS. 84 and 85 illustrate a second example 412 b of a fiber managementstructure 412 suitable for use within the cassettes 200. The secondfiber management structure 412 b includes a body 416 defining twothrough passages 418 through each of which one or more optical fibersmay be routed. The body 416 defines a respective slit 420 leading toeach through passage 418 to allow fibers to be laterally inserted intothe passages 418. The mounting member 414 includes a neck 424 extendingoutwardly from the body 416 to a foot 426. The foot 426 is elongatealong an axis E. In certain examples, the foot 426 of the second fibermanagement structure 412 b is the same as the foot 426 of the firstfiber management structure 412 a.

FIGS. 97 and 98 illustrate a third example 412 c of a fiber managementstructure 412. The third fiber management structure 412 c includes abody 416 defining a single through passages 418 through which one ormore optical fibers may be routed. The body 416 defines a slit 420leading to the through passage 418 to allow fibers to be laterallyinserted into the passage 418 instead of threading the fibers throughthe passage 418. The body 416 and through passage 418 of the thirdexample 412 c are wider than the body 416 and through passage 418 of thefirst example 412 a. The body 416 of the third example 412 c does notinclude outwardly extending flanges compared to the first example. Incertain examples, the passage 418 of the third example 412 c is abouttwice the width of the passage 418 of the first example 412 a whilehaving the same height and depth.

In certain implementations, the mounting member 414 of the fibermanagement structure 412 is configured to lock to the cassette 200through a twisting motion. For example, the foot 426 of the mountingmember 414 is configured to be inserted through one of the apertures 410in a first rotational orientation (e.g., see FIG. 86 ). In certainexamples, the first and second lock members 428, 432 of the foot 426have different shapes and sizes so that the foot 426 can only beinserted through the aperture 410 in the first rotational orientation.Restricting the starting position of the foot 426 facilitate the correctmounting of asymmetrical fiber management members 412. For example, asshown in FIG. 81 , the through passages 418 can be offset from centersof the fiber management structures 412. Accordingly, a bend radius offiber loops wound between fiber management structures 412 can beenhanced by mounting the fiber management structures 412 to increase thedistance between the through passages 418 (e.g., see FIG. 91 ). Such amounting configuration can be encouraged by alternating the orientationof adjacent apertures 410.

A retaining structure 408 (e.g., a bump or ramp) is disposed at a bottomof the cassette 200 adjacent the aperture 410. The retaining structure408 s positioned so that rotating the fiber management structure 412relative to the cassette 200 causes the foot 426 to ride over theretaining structure 408. For example, either the first lock member 428or the second lock member 432 may flex over the retaining structure 408during rotation. In certain implementations, two retaining structures408 are disposed at each aperture 410—one at a first side and the otherat a second side. Accordingly, each of the lock members 428, 432 flexesover a respective one of the retaining structures 408 during rotation.The lead-in side 427, 431 of each lock member 428, 432 facilitatesflexing over the retaining structure 408.

When the fiber management structure 412 is moved to a second rotationalposition, the retaining side 429, 433 of each lock member 428, 432 abutsthe retaining structure 408 to inhibit rotation back to the firstrotational position. In certain examples, the second rotational positionis offset 90 degrees from the first rotational position. In otherexamples, the second rotational position can be offset between 5 degreesand 175 degrees. In certain examples, the second rotational position canbe offset between 45 degrees and 135 degrees. In certain examples, thesecond rotational position can be offset between 5 degrees and 90degrees. In certain examples, the second rotational position can beoffset between 90 degrees and 155 degrees.

Referring to FIGS. 88-90 , in certain implementations, the aperture 410is disposed within a depression 434 defined in the floor 425 of thecassette 200. The depression 434 may be sized and shaped to indicate amounting orientation for the fiber management structure 412. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 89 , the body 416 of the fiber managementstructure 412 does not align with the depression 434 when the mountingmember 414 is first inserted through the aperture 410 in the firstrotational position. The body 416 aligns with the depression 434 afterthe fiber management structure 412 is twisted to the second rotationalposition. In certain examples, engagement between the body 416 and a lipof the depression 434 inhibits movement of the body 416 back to thefirst rotational position. In certain examples, the depression 434inhibits fibers from being trapped between the fiber managementstructure 412 and the cassette floor 225.

FIGS. 91 and 92 illustrate fiber routing schemes within variouscassettes 200 using the first and second fiber management structures 412a, 412 b. In FIG. 91 , two first fiber management structures 412 a aremounted to the cassette floor 225 opposing each other. A group of fibersH (e.g., a fiber cable) extend from a multi-fiber connector at a rearport member 402, wind around the cassette floor 225 in a loop held bythe fiber retaining structures 412, and separate out from the looptowards single-fiber connectors plugged into interior ports of frontport members 402.

In FIG. 92 , a second fiber management structure 412 b is disposed at acentral portion of the cassette floor 225 and a first fiber managementstructure 412 a is disposed at one side of the cassette 200. In theexample shown, the aperture 410 on the other side is unoccupied. Inother examples, however, a first or second fiber management structure412 a, 412 b can be mounted at the aperture 410. The through-passages418 of the second fiber management structure 412 b are offset fromcenter to enhance bend radius protection of the fibers. For example, oneor more loops of a first fiber cable H1 may be routed through the firstfiber management structure 412 a and through a far side through passage418 of the second fiber management structure 412 b. One or more loops ofa second fiber cable H2 may be routed through the near-side throughpassage 418 of the second fiber management structure 412 b. Accordingly,the fibers of the first cable H1 may be kept separate from the fibers ofthe second cable H2. Therefore, if one of the fibers is damaged, thecorresponding cable H1, H2 can be removed and replaced without atechnician needing to separate out the fibers from the other cable.

Referring to FIGS. 93 and 94 , certain types of cassettes 200 can beconfigured to facilitate installation of the cassette 200 on the trayarrangement 120 and/or to facilitate installation of a populated trayarrangement 120 within a chassis 105. Certain types of cassettes 200include one or more beak members 440 extending forwardly from a frontend 204 and/or rear end 206 of a cassette body 202. Each beak member 440defines an upwardly facing ramp. In certain examples, the beak members440 are disposed between adjacent port members 402. In an example, eachbeak member 440 is disposed over a bottom channel 222.

The beak members 440 protect the cassette 200 during insertion and/orremoval in a situation where an upper tray arrangement 120 (i.e., a trayarrangement disposed above the tray arrangement within the chassis 105)bows downwardly. The upper tray arrangement 120 would ride over the beak440 to clear the front end 204 or rear end 206 of the cassette 200 whenthe cassette 200 moves relative to the upper tray arrangement 120. Thebeak 440 also may protect the cassette 200 during insertion of acassette 200 onto or removal of the cassette 200 from a tray arrangement120 installed within the chassis 105. The beak 440 facilitates a smoothinsertion or removal even if the upper tray arrangement 120 bows downtowards the cassette 200.

In certain implementations, each cassette 200 includes one or moreprotrusions 442 disposed at a top of the cassette 200. In certainexamples, the protrusions 442 are curved in a semi-circular shape. Theprotrusions 442 also function to raise an upper tray arrangement 120away from the cassette 200 during insertion and/or removal of thecassette 200. In certain examples, the protrusion 442 raises the uppertray arrangement 120 sufficiently above the top of the cassette 200 toensure clearance of plugs received at port members 402 of the cassette200. For example, the protrusions 442 may inhibit catching of latch armsof plugs received at the port members 402 by the upper tray arrangement120.

FIG. 94 also illustrates the cover 262 mounted to the base 260 of thecassette 200. In the example shown, the cover 262 defines an elongateaperture through which an elongate hook 265 extends to hold the cover262 to the base 260 at the second side 210 of the cassette 200. A labelB is configured to mount over the elongate aperture and elongate hook265 after the cassette 200 is assembled to inhibit removal of the cover262 from the base 260. In certain implementations, the cover 262 alsomay include an arm that extends into and secures within an aperture 267disposed between port members 402 and/or above bottom channels 222.

In some implementations, only one of the bottom channels 222 receives abottom rail 220. In other implementations, however, additional bottomrails 221 may be disposed at one or more additional bottom channels 222(e.g., see FIGS. 95 and 96 ). In some examples, the additional bottomrails 221 have a common configuration with the bottom rail 220. In otherexamples, the additional bottom rails 221 are smaller or otherwisedifferently shaped than the bottom rail 220 (e.g., see FIG. 96 ). Thebottom rail 220 and the end rail 218 cooperate with the guides 150, 350to secure the cassette 200 to the tray arrangement 120. In certainexamples, the additional bottom rails 221 do not engage the guides 150,350 unless lifting or bowing of the cassette 200 relative to the guide150, 350 occurs. Accordingly, the additional bottom rails 221 do notcontribute to friction between the cassette 200 and the guides 150, 150.In certain examples, the additional bottom rails 221 inhibit lifting orbowing of the cassette 200 away from the guides 150, 350.

Aspects of the Disclosure

-   Aspect 1. A communications arrangement comprising:    -   a tray arrangement carrying a plurality of spaced apart guides        extending parallel to each other along a forward-rearward axis        of the tray arrangement; and    -   a cassette configured to mount to the tray arrangement, the        cassette carrying a plurality of port members, the cassette        being sized to extend from a first guide, over a second guide,        to a third guide, the cassette being configured to inter-connect        with the first guide and the second guide, but not the third        guide.-   Aspect 2. A communications arrangement comprising:    -   a tray extending along a forward-rearward axis between opposite        front and rear ends and along a lateral axis between opposite        first and second sides carrying a plurality of guides spaced        from each other along the lateral axis and extending generally        parallel to each other, each of the guides extending along the        forward-rearward axis, each of the guides defining a notch at a        top of the guide; and    -   a cassette mounted to the tray and selectively slidable along        the forward-rearward axis, the cassette extending along the        forward-rearward axis between opposite front and rear ends of        the cassette and along the lateral axis between opposite first        and second ends of the cassette, the cassette carrying a        latching arrangement at the first end, the latching arrangement        including a stop member aligned over the top of one of the        guides when the cassette is mounted to the tray, the stop member        riding over the top of the guide as the cassette is slid along        the forward-rearward axis until the stop member aligns with the        notch defined in the top of the guide, the stop member entering        the notch when aligned with the notch along the forward-rearward        axis to lock the cassette relative to the tray.-   Aspect 3. A communications arrangement comprising:    -   a tray arrangement carrying a plurality of guides;    -   the guides being configured to receive cassettes having widths        of X and 1.5X without modifying the guides.-   Aspect 4. A communications arrangement comprising:    -   a tray carrying a plurality of guides extending along a        forward-rearward axis of the tray, the guides being parallel and        spaced apart from each other along a lateral axis, each of the        guides defining a groove facing in a first direction along the        lateral axis, and each of the guides being devoid of grooves        facing in an opposite second direction along the lateral axis;    -   a first cassette mountable to the tray by engaging and sliding        along first and second ones of the guides, the first and second        guides being adjacent each other; and    -   a second cassette mountable to the tray by engaging and sliding        along third and fourth ones of the guides, the third and fourth        guides being non-adjacent so that at least a fifth guide is        disposed between the third and fourth guides along the lateral        axis.-   Aspect 5. A communications arrangement comprising:    -   a tray carrying a guide, the guide extending along a length        between opposite first and second ends of the guide, the guide        defining a groove extending along the length of the guide, the        guide also extending between a bottom and a top, the bottom of        the guide being configured to mount to the tray, the top of the        guide defining a notch at an intermediate position between the        first and second ends;    -   a cassette extending along a length between opposite front and        rear ends, along a width between opposite first and second ends,        and along a height between a top and a bottom, the cassette        including an end rail at the first side that is configured to        slide along the groove defined by the guide, the cassette        including a latching arrangement disposed at the first end above        the end rail, the latching arrangement including:        -   a stop member configured to move along the height of the            cassette between a lock position and a release position; and        -   a release handle that extends along the length of the            cassette between opposite front and rear ends of the release            handle so that the front end of the handle extends outwardly            beyond the front end of the cassette and the rear end of the            handle extends outwardly beyond the rear end of the            cassette, the release handle being slidable along a            forward-rearward axis relative to the cassette, the release            handle being configured to transition the stop member from            the lock position to the release position.-   Aspect 6. A communications arrangement comprising:    -   a tray extending along a forward-rearward axis between a front        end and a rear end, the tray also extending along a lateral axis        between opposite first and second sides;    -   a plurality of guides mounted to the tray, the guides extending        along lengths between opposite front and rear ends of the        guides, the lengths of the guides being parallel to the        forward-rearward axis of the tray, the guides being spaced apart        along the lateral axis of the tray;    -   a cassette configured to mount to the tray by sliding along        first and second ones of the guides from either the front ends        of the first and second guides or from the rear ends of the        first and second guides at a discretion of a user, the cassette        including a locking arrangement configured to lock to the first        guide to maintain the cassette in position relative to the first        guide, the cassette carrying a release handle that moves        relative to the cassette along an actuation axis that extends        parallel to the forward-rearward axis of the tray, the release        handle releasing the locking arrangement from the first guide        when moved along the actuation axis in a forward direction or a        rearward direction at the discretion of the user.-   Aspect 7. A communications arrangement comprising:    -   a tray extending along a forward-rearward axis and along a        lateral axis that is orthogonal to the forward-rearward axis,        the tray defining a row of bays extending along the lateral        axis, each of the bays extending along a width between an        engagement end of a first guide and a non-engagement end of a        second guide that is adjacent the first guide, the width        extending along the lateral axis;    -   a plurality of cassettes each configured to mount to the tray        across a respective plurality of the bays, each cassette being        configured to slide over the respective plurality of bays along        the forward-rearward axis of the tray, each cassette including        first and second engagement members that inter-connect with the        engagement ends of first and second guides, wherein the cassette        does not inter-connect with the non-engagement ends of the        guides.-   Aspect 8. A communications cassette comprising:    -   a body extending along a length between opposite front and rear        ends, along a width between opposite first and second ends, and        along a height between a top and a bottom, the body including a        latching arrangement disposed at the first end of the body, the        latching arrangement including:        -   a stop member configured to move along the height of the            body between a lock position and a release position; and        -   a release handle that extends along the length of the body            between opposite front and rear ends of the release handle            so that the front end of the release handle extends            outwardly beyond the front end of the body and the rear end            of the release handle extends outwardly beyond the rear end            of the body, the release handle being slidable along a            forward-rearward axis relative to the body, the release            handle being configured to transition the stop member from            the lock position to the release position.-   Aspect 9. A communications cassette comprising:    -   a body having a width extending between opposite first and        second ends of the body and a depth extending between opposite        front and rear ends of the body;    -   a row of optical adapters carried at the front end of the body        so that front ports of the optical adapters are accessible from        the front end of the body;    -   an end rail disposed at the first end of the body; and    -   a bottom rail disposed at an intermediate position between the        first and second ends of the body, the bottom rail having a        common orientation with the end rail;    -   the body being devoid of rails at the second end of the body.-   Aspect 10. A tray arrangement extending along a lateral axis between    opposite first and second ends, along a forward-rearward axis    between opposite front and rear ends, and along a height between a    bottom and a top, the tray arrangement comprising:    -   a tray having a forward end portion towards the front end of the        tray arrangement, a rearward end portion toward the rearward end        of the tray arrangement, and an intermediate portion disposed        between the forward end portion and the rearward end portion        along the forward-rearward axis, the intermediate portion being        raised along the height of the tray arrangement relative to the        forward end portion; and    -   a plurality of guides extending across the intermediate portion        along the forward-rearward axis, each of the guides being        mounted to the forward end portion of the tray and to the        rearward end portion of the tray, each of the guides extending        partially over the forward end portion and partially over the        rearward end portion.-   Aspect 11. A tray arrangement comprising:    -   a tray extending along a forward-rearward axis and along a        lateral axis that is orthogonal to the forward-rearward axis;        and    -   a plurality of guides mounted to the tray, the guides being        configured to slidably receive a plurality of cassettes along        the forward-rearward axis, the guides being parallel to each        other and spaced apart along the lateral axis so that the        plurality of cassettes includes a plurality of base-8 cassettes        or a plurality of base-12 cassettes at a discretion of the user        without modifying a spacing between the guides, the base-12        cassette being wider than the base-8 cassette.-   Aspect 12. A tray arrangement comprising:    -   a tray extending along a forward-rearward axis and along a        lateral axis that is orthogonal to the forward-rearward axis;        and    -   a plurality of guides mounted to the tray, each of the guides        having an L-shaped transverse cross-sectional profile.-   Aspect 13. A communications panel comprising:    -   a chassis defining an interior;    -   a tray arrangement configured to mount within the interior of        the chassis, the tray arrangement extending along a        forward-rearward axis between opposite front and rear ends and        along a lateral axis between opposite first and second sides        carrying a plurality of guides spaced from each other along the        lateral axis and extending generally parallel to each other,        each of the guides extending along the forward-rearward axis,        each of the guides defining a notch at a top of the guide; and    -   a cassette mounted to the tray arrangement and selectively        slidable along the forward-rearward axis, the cassette extending        along the forward-rearward axis between opposite front and rear        ends of the cassette and along the lateral axis between opposite        first and second ends of the cassette, the cassette carrying a        latching arrangement at the first end, the latching arrangement        including a stop member aligned over the top of one of the        guides when the cassette is mounted to the tray, the stop member        riding over the top of the guide as the cassette is slid along        the forward-rearward axis until the stop member aligns with the        notch defined in the top of the guide, the stop member entering        the notch when aligned with the notch along the forward-rearward        axis to lock the cassette relative to the tray.-   Aspect 14. A communications panel system comprising:    -   a chassis defining an interior extending along a        forward-rearward axis between opposite front and rear ends of        the chassis and along a lateral axis between opposite first and        second ends of the chassis;    -   a tray mountable within the interior of the chassis through the        front end, the tray carrying a plurality of guides spaced apart        from each other along the lateral axis, each of the guides        extending along the forward-rearward axis;    -   a plurality of cassettes configured to slide along the guides to        mount to the tray, each of the cassettes extending along a width        between opposite first and second ends, the first end of each        cassette carrying an end rail configured to inter-connect with a        respective first one of the guides, an intermediate portion of        the cassette carrying a bottom rail configured to inter-connect        with a respective second one of the guides, the end rail and the        bottom rail extending outwardly in a common direction from a        base end contacting the cassette to a free end.-   Aspect 15. A method of removing a cassette from a tray having a    plurality of parallel guides each extending parallel to a    forward-rearward axis of the tray, the cassette being slidable along    the tray relative to the guides, each cassette carrying a release    handle, the method comprising:    -   choosing one of a forward direction and a rearward direction        along which to remove the cassette from the tray;    -   pulling the release handle relative to the cassette in the        chosen direction to unlatch the cassette from a first of the        guides; and    -   continuing to pull the release handle in the chosen direction to        slide the cassette in the chosen direction relative to the first        guide.-   Aspect 16. A tray arrangement extending along a lateral axis between    opposite first and second ends, along a forward-rearward axis    between opposite front and rear ends, and along a height between a    bottom and a top, the tray arrangement comprising:    -   a tray having opposite top and bottom surfaces each extending        along the lateral axis and the forward-rearward axis, the tray        defining a main region at which a plurality of apertures are        defined, each of the apertures extending between the top and        bottom surfaces; and    -   a plurality of guides heat attached the tray at the main region,        each of the guides including a plurality of pegs extending into        respective ones of the apertures defined in the tray, each of        the guides defining a grooved side facing towards the first end        of the tray arrangement and a closed side facing towards the        second end of the tray arrangement.    -   Aspect 17. A tray arrangement extending along a lateral axis        between opposite first and second ends, along a forward-rearward        axis between opposite front and rear ends, and along a height        between a bottom and a top, the tray arrangement comprising:    -   a tray; and    -   a plurality of guides mounted to the tray, each of the guides        extending along the forward-rearward axis, the guides being        spaced from each other along the lateral axis, the guides        including a first guide and a second guide connected by a        webbing so that the first and second guides mount to the tray as        a unit.-   Aspect 18. A method of manufacturing a plurality of tray    arrangements, the method comprising:    -   selecting one of a first tray arrangement and a second tray,        each of the first and second trays defining a plurality of        apertures, each of the first and second trays defining        countersinks, the first tray having a different thickness than        the second tray so that the apertures of the first tray have a        different height than the apertures of the second tray;    -   mounting a plurality of guides to the selected one of the first        and second trays, the guides each having a plurality of pegs,        wherein mounting the guides includes inserting the pegs into the        apertures of the selected one of the first and second trays,        wherein the pegs of the guides have a common size regardless of        which of the first and second trays is selected; and    -   liquefying at least portions of the pegs into the countersinks.-   Aspect 19. A communications arrangement comprising:    -   a tray arrangement carrying a plurality of guides spaced apart        from each other along a lateral axis of the tray arrangement,        each of the guides extending along a forward-rearward axis of        the tray arrangement;    -   a plurality of cassettes mounted to the tray arrangement in a        row along the lateral axis of the tray arrangement, each of the        cassettes defining a plurality of front apertures each        configured to receive at least one port member, the front        apertures of each cassette being spaced from each other along        the lateral axis of the tray arrangement by a first gap, wherein        the cassettes are configured so that adjacent front apertures of        adjacent cassettes on the tray arrangement are separated from        each other by a second gap that is about equal to the first gap.-   Aspect 20. A cassette extending along a forward-rearward axis    between a front of the cassette and a rear of the cassette and along    a lateral axis between opposite first and second sides of the    cassette, the cassette comprising:    -   a body defining an interior having a first lane and a second        lane that each extend along the forward-rearward axis, each of        the first and second lanes defining a front region disposed at a        front of the cassette, a rear region disposed at a rear of the        cassette, and an intermediate region disposed between the front        and rear regions along the forward-rearward axis, the front        regions being separated from each other by a first protrusion,        the rear regions being separated from each other by a second        protrusion, and the intermediate regions being continuous with        each other, each of the intermediate regions being elevated        relative to the respective front and rear regions.

Aspect 21. A cassette extending along a forward-rearward axis between afront of the cassette and a rear of the cassette and along a lateralaxis between opposite first and second sides of the cassette, thecassette also having a height extending between a bottom of the cassetteand a top of the cassette, the cassette comprising:

-   -   a base having a top side and a bottom side, the bottom side of        the base defining a bottom channel extending along the        forward-rearward axis between the front and the rear of the        cassette, the bottom channel having an open side at the bottom        of the cassette and a closed side at a first position along the        height of the cassette; and    -   a peripheral wall extending upwardly beyond the top side of the        base to define an interior of the cassette so that the top side        of the base defines a floor of the interior,    -   the floor of the interior having an intermediate region        extending between the first and second sides, the intermediate        region of the floor being disposed at a second position along        the height of the cassette, the second position being disposed        between the top of the cassette and the first position, the        floor of the interior also having a front region disposed at the        front of the cassette, the front region being disposed a third        position along the height of the cassette, the third position        being disposed between the bottom of the cassette and the first        position.

Having described the preferred aspects and implementations of thepresent disclosure, modifications and equivalents of the disclosedconcepts may readily occur to one skilled in the art. However, it isintended that such modifications and equivalents be included within thescope of the claims which are appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communications arrangement comprising: a trayarrangement carrying a plurality of spaced apart guides extendingparallel to each other along a forward-rearward axis of the trayarrangement; and a cassette configured to mount to the tray arrangement,the cassette carrying a plurality of port members, the cassette beingsized to extend from a first of the guides, over a second of the guides,to a third of the guides, the cassette being configured to inter-connectwith the first guide and the second guide, but not the third guide. 2.The communications arrangement of claim 1, wherein the guides are spacedapart from each other along a lateral axis of the tray arrangement by acommon distance, the lateral axis being orthogonal to theforward-rearward axis, and wherein the tray arrangement defines a row ofbays extending along the lateral axis, each of the bays extending awayfrom an engagement end of a respective guide by the common distance, thecassette spanning at least two of the bays.
 3. The communicationsarrangement of claim 2, wherein each guide defines a non-engagement sidedirectly opposite the engagement side, wherein the cassette directlyopposes the non-engagement side of the third guide.
 4. Thecommunications arrangement of claim 2, wherein the cassette is a firstcassette of a plurality of cassettes, each of the cassettes being sizedto span at least two respective bays, wherein the plurality of cassettesincludes a second cassette spanning a different number of the bays thanthe first cassette.
 5. The communications arrangement of claim 1,wherein the cassette is configured to mount to the tray arrangement bysliding along the first and second guides from either front ends of thefirst and second guides or from rear ends of the first and second guidesat a discretion of a user.
 6. The communications arrangement of claim 5,wherein the cassette includes a latching arrangement to secure thecassette to the tray arrangement in a stationary position relative tothe first and second guides.
 7. The communications arrangement of claim6, wherein the latching arrangement is disposed above the first guide sothat the latching arrangement slides along a top of the first guide asthe cassette is moved relative to the tray arrangement and so that thelatching arrangement includes a stop member that engages the first guidewhen the cassette is disposed in the stationary position.
 8. Thecommunications arrangement of claim 1, wherein the cassette defines aclosed interior; and wherein the plurality of port members includes aplurality of front port members and at least one rear port member. 9.The communications arrangement of claim 1, wherein the cassette has anopen top; and wherein the plurality of port members include only frontport members.
 10. The communications arrangement of claim 1, furthercomprising a fiber management structure mounted within an interior ofthe cassette by inserting a portion of the fiber management structurethrough an aperture defined in a floor of the cassette, the fibermanagement structure being configured to selectively lock to thecassette through twisting so that the portion engages retainingstructures at an exterior of the floor of the cassette.
 11. Thecommunications arrangement of claim 1, further comprising: a beakextending forwardly from a front end of the cassette at a locationdisposed between adjacent ones of the port members, the beak defining anupwardly facing ramp; and a curved protrusion extending upwardly from atop of the cassette at the front end of the cassette.
 12. Thecommunications arrangement of claim 1, wherein the cassette includes abody defining an interior having a first lane and a second lane thateach extend along the forward-rearward axis, each of the first andsecond lanes defining a front region disposed at a front of thecassette, a rear region disposed at a rear of the cassette, and anintermediate region disposed between the front and rear regions alongthe forward-rearward axis, at least some of the port members beingdisposed at the front of the cassette, the front regions being separatedfrom each other by a first protrusion, the rear regions being separatedfrom each other by a second protrusion, and the intermediate regionsbeing continuous with each other, each of the intermediate regions beingelevated relative to the respective front and rear regions.
 13. Acommunications arrangement comprising: a tray carrying a plurality ofguides spaced apart from each other along a lateral axis, each of theguides extending along a forward-rearward axis that is orthogonal to thelateral axis; a plurality of cassettes configured to slide along theguides to mount to the tray, each of the cassettes extending along awidth between opposite first and second ends, the cassettes beingoriented on the tray so that the widths of the cassettes extend alongthe lateral axis, the first end of each cassette carrying an end railconfigured to inter-connect with a respective first one of the guides,an intermediate portion of the cassette carrying a bottom railconfigured to inter-connect with a respective second one of the guides,each of the end rail and the bottom rail extending outwardly in a commondirection from a respective base end contacting the cassette to arespective free end.
 14. The communications arrangement of claim 13,wherein each of the cassettes defines at least one bottom channelextending along the forward-rearward axis when the cassette is mountedto the tray, the bottom channel being sized to accommodate one of theguides, and the bottom rail being disposed in the bottom channel. 15.The communications arrangement of claim 14, wherein the bottom channelis a first bottom channel; and wherein at least one of the cassettesdefines a plurality of bottom channels, each of the bottom channelsbeing sized to accommodate a respective one of the guides.
 16. Thecommunications arrangement of claim 15, further comprising an additionalbottom rail disposed at a second one of the plurality of bottomchannels, the additional bottom rail having a different shape than thebottom rail.
 17. The communications arrangement of claim 13, wherein thebottom rail is flush with a bottom surface of the cassette.
 18. Thecommunications arrangement of claim 13, further comprising a fibermanagement structure mounted within an interior of one of the cassettesby inserting a portion of the fiber management structure through anaperture defined in a floor of the cassette, the fiber managementstructure being configured to selectively lock to the cassette throughtwisting so that the portion engages retaining structures at an exteriorof the floor of the cassette.
 19. The communications arrangement ofclaim 13, further comprising: a beak extending forwardly from a frontend of one of the cassettes at a location disposed between adjacent onesof the port members, the beak defining an upwardly facing ramp; and acurved protrusion extending upwardly from a top of the one of thecassettes at the front end of the cassette.
 20. A communications panelcomprising: a chassis defining an interior; a plurality of thecommunications arrangements of claim 1 disposed within the interior. 21.The communications panel of claim 20, wherein the communicationsarrangements are independently movable between retracted and extendedpositions relative to the chassis.